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NIGHTWISH – “Storytime” Teaser Video Released!

Posted in gothic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , on October 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTWISH – Do you dare to take a first step into the Imaginaerum? Click HERE! In another teaser video, Tuomas gives some insight into the making of Nightwish’s new album. You can also take a first peek at behind-the-scenes footage from the film set! Check out the video at THIS location! The first single “Storytime” will be released on November 11th. “Imaginaerum” is set for release on December 2nd, 2011. For more infos, check www.nightwish.com / www.nuclearblast.de/nightwish

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

LONG LIVE NIGHTWISH.

Stone.

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BENEDICTUM & DESDEMON Spread their wings for select 2011 U.S. Dates!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Benedictum & DesDemon team up for Path of the Valkyries tour to promote their recent studio releases.

Benedictum reign from Arizona, fronted by the diabolical mistress “V” Veronica Freeman. The band is known more in European markets and will finally showcase their talent in the U.S. with their current release “Dominion” via Frontiers Records.  Previous releases include “Seasons of Tragedy” and “Uncreation”.

DesDemon hail from New York, fronted by new vixen Chelsea Knaack. Finally released their debut “Through the Gates” via Radtone Music Japan and will soon be available in all retail and on-line markets.   DesDemon have been described as a new force in female fronted Symphonic Metal!!!!

See Benedictum and DesDemon on their Path of the Valkyries in the following cities.

November 10th – The Haven – Orlando/Altamonte Springs , FL

November 11th – The Pathfinder Metalfest 3 – Marietta, GA

November 12th – Volume 11 – Raleigh, NC

November 17th – Metal Thursday @ Ralf’s Diner – Worcester, MA (with Joe Stump)

November 18th – Dublin Pub – New Hyde Park, NY (with HolyHell)

November 19th – Flight of the Valkyries Festival – Sonar – Baltimore, Maryland

BENEDICTUM – DOMINION (Frontiers Records)

Benedictum was recently selected as the pick of the week on VH1 Classics “That Metal Show. “Dominion” is an exciting musical episode building upon their great foundation by adding  Grammy Award winning producer Ryan Greene (Megadeth, F5, NOFX) and are firing on all cylinders. From the onslaught of the opening track Dominion to the epic Epsilon and the heartfelt acoustic track Sanctuary, this album has it all.  Adding to the already explosive sound of “Dominion” are guest appearances by Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Dio, Foreigner), Craig Goldy (Rough Cutt, Dio, Giuffria) and Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quite Riot, Whitesnake).

DesDemon “Through the Gates” transcends you through dark majestic symphonic metal passages with supreme musicianship.  “Through the Gates” has an impressive list of guests musicians from Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest, ex- Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Beyond Fear, Charred Walls of the Damned, Hell Yeah!), Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Avantasia, Somerville / Kiske, HDK, Epica), Sander Gommans (Trillium, After Forever, HDK) & Joe Stump (Holyhell, world-renowned guitar virtuoso).

DesDemon and Benedictum individually have shared the stage with the likes of many international artists like Doro, Primal Fear, Tyr, Korpiklaani, Rotting Christ, Epicurean, Mantic Ritual, Paul DiAnno, Icarus Witch, and have graced the stage of several festivals throughout Europe.

(Source: Frontiers Records)

* For more info, click on the links below:

BENEDICTUM – Official Website

BENEDICTUM – facebook

FRONTIERS RECORDS

DESDEMON – facebook

LONG LIVE BENEDICTUM.

LONG LIVE DESDEMON.

Stone.

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ARVEN – Music Of Light: Pre-Listening Of New Album On Massacre Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , on August 21, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

ARVEN – The debut of the German all-girl band with male drummer. Artwork by Jan Yrlund (Imperia, Korpiklaani, Impaled Nazarene, Stratovarius, Sirenia). Symphonic Metal, like Blind Guardian or Epica meets Gothic and Melodic Metal in the vein of Leaves Eyes or Edenbridge.

Stone Says:

A combination of Symphonic and Melodic Metal, fused with Extreme Metal vocals, makes ARVEN a Metal band to hear and watch! Germany has once again bred another fine band that solidly represents our beloved Metal genre.

Listen to samples of the new debut album from ARVEN here www.massacre-records.com. Titled Music Of Light, this album is set for release on September 23rd, 2011, on Massacre Records.

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

ARVEN – myspace music

LONG LIVE ARVEN.

Stone.

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Sarah Jezebel Deva – “The Corruption Of Mercy”: Atop The List Of Must Have Metal Albums For 2011

Posted in gothic metal, gothic metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 11, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Sarah Jezebel Deva – The sophomore studio release The Corruption Of Mercy, (June 27, 2011 via Listenable Records), from Sarah Jezebel Deva is an enormous leap forward for this strikingly talented front woman. The band assembled for this album is a driving Metal force behind it’s foreseeable success as well. Under her solo name, Sarah Jezebel Deva is a touring band and one that has created a Metal album that should be atop the list of must haves for 2011. Who exactly must have The Corruption Of Mercy? Anyone who cares about, admires and wants to hear solid song writing, excellent musicianship and exemplary vocals should wrap their eardrums around this album. While putting Metal genre tags aside for a moment, this new Sarah Jezebel Deva album is a complete listen into carefully crafted, dexterously layered and fabulously executed music.

(All band photo credits: Khyrian)

Sarah Jezebel Deva has a plethora of experience as a vocalist, her Metal resume can be considered undeniably impressive. Her association with too numerous bands, (of world class notoriety) to mention, resulting in appearing on over 35 albums is an exclamation point unto itself. Add the Metal fact, Sarah had spent 14 years as a backing singer for the legendary Cradle Of Filth, singing on every COF album with the exceptions of the first and latest of their albums, is Metal bragging rights. With Sarah’s second album under her name, her Metal career is taking on a whole new meaning. Shut the front door… cause Sarah Jezebel Deva has arrived as a premier front and center vocalist. The Corruption Of Mercy is unbelievable proof of the arrival of this top tier vocalist of Metal… and music.

Captivating, mesmerizing…hell, take your pick when it comes to describing the vocals of Sarah Jezebel Deva. Pretty With Effects is a ballad that takes over my surroundings with only delicate piano keys and the hypnotic vocals of Sarah. Whoa… it’s a trance like listen and I’m not kidding around here at all. Metal be thy name. The haunting orchestration of What Lies Before You is a dark and cavernous listen, bringing about a feeling of being lost in some god forbidden place and still I’m at ease with the vibes and chills that I take in from it’s chilling ambience.

The guitars of Dan Abela and Jonny Gray are not about taking over the song, instead their talents are used in bringing the listener along for the memorable Metal ride. Melody and speed are fused together to perfection as Dan and Jonny’s guitar licks are showcased in songs such as: The Eyes That Lie and The Corruption Of Mercy. Rhythmically, the attentiveness to keeping this album filled with passages that are mind gripping is real and so very good. No Paragon Of Virtue (in it’s entirety) and the closing moments to The Corruption Of Mercy are strong highlights to the powerful rhythm section of Ablaz on bass and Jamie Abela on drums.

It’s a difficult challenge for me to pinpoint which songs are my favorite on The Corruption Of Mercy. Okay, here are two very strong choices: The World Won’t Hold Your Hand and A Matter Of Convenience. I point out these two songs, based on the all inclusiveness of sound and power from the music, coupled with the effortless and ever impressive vocals of Sarah. I can’t stress more mightily, that the clean and pronounced vocals of Sarah are to be savored, Metal be thy name. Go ahead, one thorough listen into The Corruption Of Mercy and you hopefully will realize that Sarah Jezebel Deva believes in the ideal of the complete album of songs.

Yes, Gothic Metal and Symphonic Metal fans will delight in the swirls of dark and melodic vibes (respectively) that The Corruption Of Mercy has to offer, only this album transcends itself above and beyond the silliness of being genre specific. Who gives a crap about recommending Sarah Jezebel Deva’s new album to only a certain crowd or to desirable sub-groups of Metal fans? We’re unfortunately living in a mainstream world and my recommending The Corruption Of Mercy to all fans of quality Rock Music is my Metal mission.

No, Sarah Jezebel Deva is not mainstream (of course), yet this album is a kick-to-the-ass at all the mainstream record labels who think they have a clue about vocals and music that Rocks. A Metal kudos to Listenable Records. A vocalist such as Sarah Jezebel Deva and her band included, need to be heard and celebrated for an accomplishment of music that is: The Corruption Of Mercy.

Sarah Jezebel Deva is:

Dan Abela – guitars

Jonny Gray – guitars

Sarah Jezebel Deva – vocals

Ablaz – bass

Jamie Abela – drums

Pzy-Clone (guest) – programming/orchestration

Gian Pyres (guest) – guitar solos

The Corruption Of Mercy – Track Listing:

No Paragon Of Virtue

The World Won’t Hold Your Hand

A Matter Of Convenience

Silence Please

Zombie

Pretty With Effects

What Lies Before You

Sirens

The Eyes That Lie

The Corruption Of Mercy

* For more info on Sara Jezebel Deva, click on the links below:

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – Official Website

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – myspace music

Sarah Jezebel Deva – Official facebook

LISTENABLE RECORDS

LONG LIVE SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA.

Stone.

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Within Temptation – “Shot In The Dark”: A Melodic and Symphonic Metal Song That’s Truly Memorable

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, operatic metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

WITHIN TEMPTATION – On March 29th, 2011, the fifth studio album from the Dutch Symphonic Metal band Within Temptation was released, via RoadRunner Records. The Unforgiving is the album and my favorite song from it is Shot In The Dark. Sharon den Adel is an amazingly powerful vocalist, she really summons up a bounty of believable emotion on Shot In The Dark. Within Temptation took Melodic and Symphonic Metal to incredible heights with The Unforgiving. I highly recommend this new album from Within Temptation. I admire and respect the direction that this band has taken on this album and it has become quite the contagious listen for me over the past month. Truly an inspiring album is The Unforgiving.

In the April 2011 issue (Issue 130) of Power Play Rock & Metal Magazine, (vocalist Sharon den Adel stated about the new album’s concept: “It’s a very realistic story, although you don’t see that in the first phase when you see a lot of the supernatural and people being brought back to life to have a second chance. It’s not about bad people but good people making bad choices. There are many layers and characters but it’s about making peace with yourself.”

Watch and listen below to Shot In The Dark… I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

http://youtu.be/GRPdSqfLxAU

Within Temptation:

Sharon den Adel – vocals

Robert Westerholt – electric guitars

Martijn Westerholt – keyboards

Ruud Jolie – acoustic & electric guitars

Jeroen van Veen – bass guitars

Track Listing For The Unforgiving:

Why Not Me

Shot In The Dark

In The Middle Of The Night

Faster

Fire And Ice

Iron

Where Is The Edge

Sinéad

Lost

Murder

A Demon’s Fate

Stairway To The Skies

* For more info on Within Temptation, click the links below:

WITHIN TEMPTATION – Official Website

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

LONG LIVE WITHIN TEMPTATION.

Stone.

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Saturday, April 11, 2009, is National Heavy Metal Day!

Posted in Black Metal, Extreme Metal, gothic metal, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, Power Metal, symphonic metal, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 11, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

metalodyssey5Metal Odyssey has taken upon itself to proclaim: Saturday, April 11, is National Heavy Metal Day! Therefore, you may take these helpful tips/advice and put them into action, (if you like) and spread and/or share the great music of Heavy Metal to those around you.

* Listen to any or all Metal genres today!

* Play any or all Metal music LOUD today!

* Wear your favorite Metal t-shirt with pride today!

* Listen to any or all Metal genres with someone you love today!

* Buy or trade some Metal music today!

* Buy that special someone or your favorite buddy a Metal music gift! (give the gift of Metal)

* Share a Metal album/CD with someone!

* Share your Metal music knowledge with someone today!

* Read a decent mainstream or underground Metal magazine today, (not a Metal mag written by babies).

* If you are lucky enough, go to a Metal concert/club gig today!

* Watch a cool Metal movie today – “Trick or Treat”, any John Carpenter film or any Metal concert film will suffice.

* Surf the net for all of your favorite Metal bands and Metal news!

* Find an outdoor flea market for Metal music stuff – here’s a tip – buy low!

* Organize your Metal album/CD collection!

* Hang up a Metal poster of your favorite band(s) with pride!

Come to think of it, it seems like every day is a National Heavy Metal Day for me! It might feel that way to some of you out there too. Regardless, it just sounds and feels so cool, a National Heavy Metal Day, doesn’t it? Remember – BE TRUE TO METAL AND METAL WILL BE TRUE TO YOU.

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Women of Hard Rock & Metal – Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil

Posted in Century Media, gothic metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, lacuna coil, Metal, metal music from Italy, Music, Rock, symphonic metal, Vocals with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 10, 2009 by Metal Odyssey

9125332Gosh, is the mainstream Rock radio world missing out or what. Try listening to any desensitized FM radio station these days, try as you may, you will never hear who I feel is Hard Rock and Metal’s most underrated female vocalist today – Cristina Scabbia of Lacuna Coil. Symphonic, Gothic and at the end of the day, Lacuna Coil is still – Metal. Cristina Scabbia has proven to me, that you can have a beautiful female voice and still sing Metal music. I find Metal brilliance in Lacuna Coil for many reasons, (Cristina Scabbia’s vocals being #1), including the total musicianship and co-vocalist Andrea Ferro. Lacuna Coil means empty spiral, there is nothing that I find empty about any of the music created by Lacuna Coil. 

I find Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro to compliment each other extremely well, vocally. Cristina’s vocals  can lead you down many paths, from gentle solitude to dark and gothic to emphatic emotion. Then, Andrea will come in and either maintain the mood or sweep it off the table. These two vocalists do work vice versa as well, Andrea can be hitting the emotional anger on high and Cristina lends a symphonic vocal interlude that seamlessly blends into the song. There is no question that Lacuna Coil has their world following, deservedly so. There have been and continue to be many great articles written about Lacuna Coil in mainstream Rock and Metal magazines. Lacuna Coil and Cristina Scabbia are justifiably popular, I just feel that this band should be on the FM dial as often as Nickelback.

If you are already a fan of Lacuna Coil, you are then familiar with the bounty of integrity and musicianship they bestow. In the event you are new or unfamiliar with Lacuna Coil, I suggest a great starting ground would be their EP’s: “Lacuna Coil” and “Halflife.” In my opinion, every album from Lacuna Coil is worthy of Metal praise. The union of so many musical styles with two featured lead vocalists, providing incredible dual harmonies is quite tough to pull off. Lacuna Coil has been succeeding with this unique Metal style since 1997, Cristina Scabbia is the vocal centerpiece that is easy to embrace.

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