Metal Riot

International dark rock collective CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX are streaming another new track off their forthcoming album, ‘The Great Escape’. The stunning new track, titled “Nebulas”, melds psychedelic soundscapes with moving post rock, and features the evocative, ethereal vocals of Swedish singer Belinda Kordic (SEL DELAN).

Regarding the track, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX mastermind Justin Greaves comments, “Given the fact that both Belinda and myself are huge animal lovers and animal rights supporters, it has always seemed the right thing to do to make songs about the animals. We did it with our “other” band Se Delan, so when I gave her the demos for Great Escape songs, Belinda got straight back to me with this burning need to write a song for the animals. It completes the song and fits into the thread of the album.” 

Vocalist Belinda Kordic continues, “Often I’m referred to as a “closed book”, which is true I guess, but when it comes to animals and their well-being, I’ll rip my heart out and serve it on a plate. I know we can’t bare the weight of the worlds evil on our shoulders, and we can’t save all of them, the unloved, abused and neglected animals of the world. But I have a tendency to want to do just that and its hard to cope with at times. This song is for them.”

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX  will release Great Escape, a new full length album on Sept 14. Great Escape sees the band pushing their prodigious talents and creativity to the limit, interweaving influences spanning the sonic landscapes of post rock, experimental music, and heavy prog. Pre-orders for ‘Great Escape’ are available now at the Season of Mist E-Shop.

Track-list
1.You Brought It Upon Yourselves
2. To You I Give (click to stream, also available on Spotify)
3. Uncivil War (Pt. I)
4. Madman
5. Times, They Are A Raging
6. Rain Black, Reign Heavy
7. Slow Motion Breakdown
8. Nebulas
9. Las Diabolicas
10. Great Escape (Pt. I)
11. Great Escape (Pt. II)

Hello, weekend warriors. We just got an air conditioner and I have the afternoon off so am taking a moment to do a little extra metal blogging about some cool shit for you.

Some of you may know that I was really into Ex-Mayhem guitarist Rune Eriksen’s melodic gothy band Ava Inferi, purveyors of some totally under appreciated and dark, poetic masterful records. I even got to interview them once back in the days of MySpace. Well, Rune Eriksen and chillingly talented vocalist Carmen Simões (who has also worked with mighty Moonspell, one of my all time favorite bands) now have a cool new hard rock band called Earth Electric! The video, directed by Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu (GHOST) is below.

Regarding the video, Earth Electric comment: “Our second official video was shot by Costin Chioreanu on various stages throughout Spain and Norway as a part of the ambulant “Tales Of The Wind” exhibition. The video itself is a vivid and psychedelic expression of the powerful energies we create in our most desired setting; on stage! “

Immerse yourself in this band from Portugal’s impressive psychedelic hard rock right away! RIYL Purson, Hammers Of Misfortune, Slough Feg.

German black metallers Insignium recently signed with Apostasy Records and on August 31st, Insignium will reveal the fruits of their recent labors with their new album Infamie Und Urgewalt – Wenn Altes Sich Erhebt. I don’t know a lot about this band but they haven’t released anything in like thirteen years and the music is pretty fucking awesome. I did try hard to make sure they are not NSBM before posting and could not find anything to prove otherwise, which it sucks that I have to even say that but it is 2018.

So yeah, I certainly hope this is cool to post. The artwork and especially the riffs are pretty fucking incredible and I am enjoying it.

Denied from Sweden have a new lyric video for heavy metal anthem in the making “False Truth”. The lyrics are pretty pedestrian (see “Die MF Just Die” repeated at numerous points) and a lot of casual F bombs, but there is something about the energy of the song I enjoyed. It isn’t the most original ever but sometimes you just want to rock. I mean, it worked for Drowning Pool, right?

Denied feature singer Soren Adamsen, vocals (ex ARTILLERY) and Chris Vowden, guitar (ex OPETH) and “False Truth” is taken from the album “Freedom of speech…” that was released 13th Feb 2018 via Sliptrick Records. The song featuring Johan Fahlberg (JADED HEART) on vocals.

In a time when there is a lot of sad news to report from the tragic death of underground rock bassist hero Caleb from Cave In in an auto wreck to the break up of Seven Sisters of Sleep over horrifying things (best of luck to the other guys who must be in awful shock), I am glad I can put out some positive words today that hopefully will cheer some of you up a tiny bit. The new Sierra record is really, really good. I know it is just music and not serious like the other things I mentioned above, but good art underscores the beauty and cool parts of life and music is literally the soundtrack to our lives. With that in mind, it is awesome that in 2018 when temptation could lead the creative type to make any kind of sounds they want to, that some dudes from Ontario still care enough about rock n roll to make a near perfect hard rock album. When anyone says ,”No new rock is as good as the great old stuff” I will go so far as to say you could play them The Mirror and they will at least look a little sheepish and admit it was pretty god damned awesome even if not made in the late 1970s.

I am a huge Kylesa fan so checked out and enjoyed most of the bands Phillip Cope has given his thumbs up to over the years. Phil and Laura always have recommended awesome crust, psych and retro rockin stonery stuff to others in the scene and Sierra was one of the coolest newer bands I learned about because of them. On The Mirror (which Cope produced), the band have made their strongest statement to date. If a feel good but emotionally nuanced blend of alternative hard rock, 70s influences and even a little prog and thrash somehow melted into one seamless cohesive sound works for you, you need to check this out.

From start of the mellow acoustic and synth intro song (which doesn’t sound like it but for some reason reminded me of Mr. Crowley, if only because I know Sierra love the Ozzman and have done a rippin’ “War Pigs” cover with effin’ Wino, no less) you will want to hear where this goes. The track name “Falling” suits the cover art -which would be a great companion piece to The Jesus Lizard’s DOWN album if the Sierra guy falling ever wants a falling pet dog for company. The song itself sounds huge, big and dominant with melodic undertones like the large sound of the recent Bask Ramble Beyond stuff- for example. The guitar playing and songwriting are mature and fun and while the vocals aren’t show boaty they always fit the tunes.

My favorite lyric is probably on the anthemic “Rainbow’s End”, which exclaims relatably that ,”If you don’t fit into this world, it’s because you’re supposed to change it.” What a positive update to Saint Vitus’ “Born Too Late” message of not fitting in, haha. Just kidding. But for real, it is motivating and the song makes you feel optimistic and want to do good for the people you value or a little old lady, while rocking out hard. “The Last Time” is kinda thrashy and the solos on the record rip. The instruments sound massive and clear but not overdoing it. “The Mirror” even has slow drums that come in with the dominance of Killswitch Engage’s “The End Of Heartache” but in a different metal sub genre. All in all this is just a truly solid and enjoyable time and you will likely play it again all the way through often.

I am really into it. What else can I say? Can’t find a single damn thing wrong with it so I am giving it 5 stars.

Prog-heads The Contortionist have announced dates with outspoken rockers Nothing More, a one two punch bill that is sure to thrill fans of both young up and comers. These are both bands with huge potential for rock’s future and this pairing is overdue.

“We’re very happy to announce that we will be sharing the stage with Nothing More,” says vocalist Michael Lessard. “We have continually tried to tour with bands that excite us and push us to evolve, and Nothing More does both of those things. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!”

The Contortionist’s Clairvoyant reunited the band with producer Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, Through The Eyes Of The Dead).

Click HERE for all tour dates!