Hard rockers ROYALTY KULT have a new video out for “Enjoying The End” that has Doc Coyle guesting on some vibey guitar parts and some full bore, maximum shred later on in the tune. The catchy but song will stick in your head and features Joshua Michael’s memorable alt metal influenced, impassioned vocals. Fans of Soul Searching Sun-era LOA or Crossfade will eat this up. Incidentally the video was also directed by Ron from the band Opiate For The Masses (still have that cd in my car).
When I purchased the digital version of the Awenden/Feminazgul split (out today) via Tridroid I got extra good temperance karma because there was only one copy of the limited first edition tape version of the release left but I left it for some other lucky metalhead.
I hit play on “Sam Slater Lighting Candles” earlier and fell into the lush and drifting opening sounds like Alice down the rabbit hole. A lot of us have been really crossing our fingers this inspired split (from two of the current most actually relevant bands in black metal) was really happening. Stop pinching yourselves, comrades. Or pinch harder? Either way… it is here and lives entirely up to the low key, best kept secret buzz that preceded the arrival of this release. Meredith Yayanos theremin power is never a bad thing!
So yeah, dig into this and get the foul taste of Belphegor using homophobic slurs out of your mind and into the dustbin where hate speech belongs. A better world is indeed possible.
Brisbane rockers HIT ‘N’ MIZZ have released an energetic video for their ‘Want Me?’ single. Taken from the Australian rock band’s Action EP, the song has a lot going for it. Melodic but gritty guitars and a larger than life vibe that could perk up the ears of fans of 80’s rock and alternative, the song in a way reminds me of The Cult meets Lita Ford through a punkier vibe.
The video was filmed by Alex Nelson from Emerge Creative. Watch it below!
photo by Henrik Stolt
Swedish blackened death veterans KING OF ASGARD have released the foreboding and sinister track ‘ammobiærg’ as the third single taken from their forthcoming album svartrviðr (“black wood”), which is slated for release on May 28, 2021. Check it out below!
KING OF ASGARD comment: “We are now closing the circle of our song premieres with the epic giant ‘ammobiærg’ as the third conjuring”, tells bass player Jonas Albrektsson. “Once again, we visit that mythical mountain Omberg and its protector, Queen Omma or ‘Ama’ in Old Norse. This pagan goddess is still lingering in the plains, heights, and waters and in the legends surrounding that fog-clad mountain since ancient times. Although centuries have passed, she continues to wield spiritual influence upon all people that reside on her abode and its surroundings. This is our sonic reverence to that grey hermit shrouded in shadow and misty glow. Come join us and wander into our dark past.”
Tracklist
1. frôðr
2. rifna
3. hæimr
4. kvikr
5. ammobiærg
6. svartrviðr
7. harmdauðr
8. fæigR
Bloodbath have awesome news today for death metal fans in North America! The icons will at last return to North America in 2022, playing several shows leading up to an appearance at Maryland Deathfest XVIII. The current dates are listed below. To say this is exciting news is an understatement!
Bloodbath comment: “We have been crushingly disappointed from tours falling through in the past, and it would be naive to say there isn’t an element of uncertainly about tours in the future. However, we are determined to commit to playing the US in 2022 and we are pleased to announce the following new dates.”
05/22 Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw
05/23 Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
05/24 Montreal, QC @ L’Astral
05/25 Toronto, ON @ Opera House
05/27 Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest
When it comes to Finnish death metal, I could go on talking for hours about it. Renowned big names such as Abhorrence, Demigod, and Amorphis have helped the scene build a continuous worldwide legacy that will forever prevail. And speaking of Finnish death metal, of course we can’t forget the legendary, off-kilter Children of Bodom with their viciously hell-raising sounds. Unfortunately, the band didn’t last more than 25 years (even though it’s probably best for them and it’s meant to be so I can’t complain, considering the situations). Moreover, the passing of Alexi Laiho has definitely left everyone actively involved in the metal scene devastated.
As for me personally, Children of Bodom opened the gates of discovery towards the Finnish death metal scene for me as a 12 year-old back in 2010, therefore hearing the news about his passing shocked me to a great extent. Just right before passing away, Alexi Laiho, together with Bodom After Midnight, left his one last legacy in the form of a sonic thrashing, which is this Paint the Sky with Blood EP that I’m reviewing.
Bodom After Midnight itself is a new act in the Finnish metal scene that Alexi Laiho and Daniel Freyberg proceeded to form, not so long after the disbanding of Children of Bodom. Together with bassist Mitja Toivonen (of Santa Cruz fame) and drummer Waltteri Váyrynen (of Paradise Lost fame), they went on to create ferocious resonances that bear an inclination towards persistence and heavy rhythms. Posthumous works (in this case, music) are always heart-wrenching to listen to, mostly if you have a profound attachment towards the late musician. So whenever I listen to this EP, somehow fragments of reminiscence towards Children of Bodom would still replay itself in my head. I can sense some Blooddrunk-ish hints here and there, and the album artwork of this EP reminds me of Hate Crew Deathroll. But enough reminiscence for today, I guess.
This EP consists of three tracks, in which, two of them are original tracks, and one of them is a cover of Dissection’s very own “Where Dead Angels Lie”. The title track is one hell of a far-out wonder; it presents intricate chord progressions, frantic drumming, and chorus with enchanting melodies. The fast paced guitar solo also helps build an intense nuance that makes the tune even more ghastly.The second track, “Payback’s a Bitch”, is quite strong on thrash influences. Aggressive riffs and barrelling rhythms are two of the qualities I noticed first when I came across this track for the first time. The distortions on the vocals really got me hooked as well. And finally, the Dissection cover. They took a bold step by attempting to cover a song by these Swedish extreme metal einherjar, and that bold step turned out to be a good step. It starts off as tranquil with its intro that features orchestral instrumentation, but then strikes like a malevolent thunder, and while Bodom After Midnight presented their own kind of eclectic authenticity in a cover, they still retain the dark and atmospheric ambience that Dissection has.
Even if Bodom After Midnight is not going to continue on with the absence of Alexi Laiho, I’m already satisfied enough with the release of this impeccable EP. It explores
many sides of death metal converging with a bit of thrash and the way they keep their sounds consistent throughout the whole EP is one of its good sides. Thank you for your last riffs, Alexi Laiho. Rest in power.
Tragic news for rock fans as Karma To Burn have announced the passing of OG member and seriously talented guy Will Mecum:
Dear friends, we come with very heavy hearts to tell you that Will Mecum is no longer with us. Earlier this week, Will suffered a traumatic head injury from an accidental fall. On the evening of April 29th, Will passed on to the next realm. His spirit will live on through his music, and as an organ donor his spirit will live through others who may need help. Words cannot describe how much we appreciated the amount of love and support all of you showed the band throughout the years, it was truly an honor to share the experience of celebrating Will’s riffs all over the world. Rest in Power, Will.
An underground staple, KTB have plenty of accomplishments to be proud of and Mecum was a pioneer, a handsome rogue and a musical lifer hero to many. Our hearts go out to everyone.
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Two Minutes to Late Night presents Splitsville: a new recurring live stream where two bands cover a song from each other’s catalog. It’s a homage to the classic 7″ cover splits nerds have to own but with two kick-ass music videos to go along with it. This nextSplitsvilleis going to be between hardcore pioneers Integrity and genre-defying shoegaze rock band Nothing. The stream will feature Integrity covering Nothing and Nothing covering Integrity with videos of the quality you come to expect from Two Minutes to Late Night PLUS exclusive crossover merch for both bands you can only buy during the 24-hour stream.
The live stream for the Nothing / Integrity – Splitsville performance with begins TONIGHT Friday, April 30th through the Two Minutes to Late Night Bandcamp channel here: https://twominutestolatenight.bandcamp.com/merch/splitsville-episode-2-integrity-nothing
Additionally a limited, one-time pressing only will be available through Relapse Records and 2 Minutes to Late Night’s Splitsville! This 7″ will only be available to pre-order from Friday, April 30th at 8PM EST at the launch of NOTHING’s and INTEGRITY’s Splitsville performances through Saturday, May 1st at 8PM EST. Relapse will only press the amount that is pre ordered and will ship this Fall.
Domenic Palermo (Nothing) comments:
“Integrity is the best hardcore band ever. to be able to collaborate with Dwid and the gang is bucket list level shit. I feel both honored and extremely nervous to be involved. I really hope we don’t play ourselves.”
Dwid Hellion (Integrity) comments:
“I continue to be a long time fan of NOTHING and it is a great pleasure to be able to participate on the latest installment of SPLITSVILLE with them. Roaring such beauty into its own inversion.”
Tracking the album at Nada Recording Studio
I just recently self-released a new, punk influenced album on Bandcamp for my collaborative WALKING BOMBS multi-genre project called Tears We Should Have Shed. People have been really loving this one and I super appreciate the support and energy exchange with you.
This record was made safely against the odds during 2020 in beautiful, forested Upstate, NY. It deals with a lot of collective and personal grief and the idea of how do we move through and transform that without destroying ourselves as individuals or a whole. I was blessed beyond belief to have an amazing crew of friends work on this record with me, Elizabeth “Le Fey” DaPena (Globelamp), Sean Paul Pillsworth (Nightmares For A Week, Jerk Magnet), David Brenner (Gridfailure), David Bodie (ex-Time Of Orchids, Divest, Kayo Dot), Taraka Larson (Taraka, ex-Prince Rama), Jack Manley (The Jennifer Shop), and Justin Zipperle (Shadow Witch).
More info on each song from the album BELOW.
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On June 25th, Fractal Universe will release their new album, The Impassable Horizon, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of the record, a video for the new single, “A Clockwork Expectation” (directed by Vincent Tournaud), can be viewed at: metalblade.com/fractaluniverse – where The Impassable Horizon can be pre-ordered on CD, vinyl, as well as digitally. Fans can also visit Fractal Universe‘s official store for additional vinyl and more: https://shop.fractaluniverseband.com/categorie-produit/the-impassable-horizon/
RIYL Cynic. Gojira, Atheist, Archspire.
Shot at Gouffre de Poudrey – France’s largest equipped cave – Fractal Universe had this to say about the video for “A Clockwork Expectation”: “We wanted this music video to be shot in a grandiose natural environment. It was a unique and unreal experience to spend two days all alone in the extreme conditions – seventy meters underground, 7°C – of this otherworldly beautiful location. In the middle section, we used UV light and customized the instruments accordingly, to give that part a particular dark vibe! The body-painting parts contributing to that atmosphere were designed by Kazim 2C.”
Fractal Universe line-up:
Guitar/Vocals/Saxophone: Vince Wilquin
Guitar: Hugo Florimond
Bass: Valentin Pelletier
Drums: Clément Denys
Heavy metal provocateurs Darkthrone have been many styles, but always devoted to the metal. Now a new album is expected entitled Eternal Hails. With a title like that it is a safe bet they have not switched to Weird Al style polka comedy medleys (though I bet Fenriz could pull that off).
We look forward to another masterpiece from these grim heroes of the underground resistance.
KARPENTER have released a ‘gameplay’ style humorous video for their Army Of Darkness inspires song “The Manor”. The animation is pretty darn good for a band I have never heard of and the music gives me strong quality In Flames vibes. Into it. Dueling guitars sound great in that bridge! This band needs to be on the radar of every melodic heavy metal fan.
The band adds:
“The Manor” is like an endless battle that brings many emotions to the table. We conceived it as a struggle to defend what’s most important to us, in an everlasting balance between win and loss, triumphant metal rides, and bitter melodic chords. “The Manor” is a hymn to revenge and it is set in a fictitious “dark era” that might evoke the Middle Ages. It sounds so powerful and punchy that we couldn’t prevent it from spreading so fiercely.”
“Sleepless” was recorded and mixed by Gabriele Ravaglia (Extrema) and Gianmarco Bambini at Fear Studio in Italy, and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Fleshgod Apocalypse).
KARPENTER will be releasing their debut album “Sleepless” this coming May 2021 via Rockshots Records. Named in tribute to horror movie master John Carpenter, the alternative-metal band was formed in 2019 by former Fightcast members Filippo Tellerini, Francesco Vicini, and Marco Biondi, along with Federico Conti (Creep), Manuel Nucci and Michele Mingozzi (Figure of Six).
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April 27 2021, Perth, Australia — Karnivool present “The Decade of Sound Awake” livestream – an exclusive event on May 12 from the Heath Ledger Theatre in their home city of Perth, Australia. The one-time livestream concert will see the band perform their seminal, platinum selling second album Sound Awake in its entirety plus new material and, captured on film properly for the first time, the fan favorite song, “Fade.” Tickets are available now: https://shops.ticketmasterpartners.com/karnivool-livestream. Originally planned as a short Australian tour in early 2020, “The Decade of Sound Awake” was rescheduled (twice!) in an attempt to make the tour happen normally, safely and in the way the band had envisioned but that was not possible with what’s going on in the world. Singer Ian Kenny says: “Diving back into Sound Awake as a complete performance was a sweet reminder of the layers and complexity that make it one of our most important releases. The music pushes and pulls in complex directions, I continue to find something new when lost in its emotional turbulence.” |
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Singled out for its incredible contemporary design and unique acoustic properties, The Heath Ledger Theatre, designed by Australian architect & AIA Gold Medal winner Kerry Hill, is named in honor of the actor. The theatre sits in the CBD of Perth, the remotest city on earth and is far more accustomed to ballet, theatre and orchestra recitals – this beautiful room has not seen or heard the likes of Karnivool! The visually stunning performance was directed by Matt Sav, mixed by frequent Karnivool collaborator Jan Kerscher and brought to you by the streaming service behind the incredible Nick Cave “Idiot Prayer” performance. In order to accommodate fans all over the world, this livestream event will be broadcast across multiple time-zones with 8 pm screenings happening for both pacific and eastern time zones. There are no restrictions on which stream can be viewed. Karnivool acknowledges the Whadjuk Nyoongar people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, live and play. We pay respects to all Aboriginal elders and people, standing united towards a shared future. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. |
DARKHER made a surprise appearance at this year’s digital Redux edition of the trailblazing Roadburn Festival on Friday, April 16 at 13:30 CEST with the exclusive premiere of a brand new video clip featuring an acoustic version of the song ‘Love’s Sudden Death’ that will be featured electrified on the forthcoming new full-length of the English dark doom act, which has not been scheduled yet.
DARKHER comment on the clip: “This acoustic version of ‘Love’s Sudden Death’ was recorded in the woods of Hell Hole Rocks in Heptonstall, West Yorkshire at dusk while the rooks were settling in the surrounding trees”, tells British artist Jayn Maiven. “The song is a dark romantic ballad taken from Darkher’s forthcoming new album, which was heavily inspired by the mood of this ancient landscape and how it reflects the emotions within – dramatic, beautiful, and sometimes bleak.”
The ‘Love’s Sudden Death’ video was premiered on Roadburn’s Redux edition on April 16, 2021. It was filmed by DARKHER and R. Shooter and edited by DARKHER.
DARKHER are the brainchild of singer, guitarist, composer, lyricist, and producer Jayn Maiven, who founded this solo-project in 2012. One of the more entrancing voices in modern music, Maiven’s work never fails to stir recognition as well as questions from a deep place in the soul.
Christopher Smith, who has contributed to previous releases, the forthcoming album, and live shows has meanwhile been added as permanent drummer to the line-up of DARKHER.
MOVE are a high energy Boston hardcore act who are defying racism while crafting timely and Earth shaking punk anthems for change! Hit up Triple-B Records for the Freedom Dreams 7" HERE or head to Bandcamp and support this electrifying band on our favorite digital platform.
"...We march on to achieve salvation/Say their names we won’t be intimidated/ I fight and I fight and I fight I refuse to rest until I see progress/All to one day see these fucking freedom dreams/ We'll never stop until we find liberation, Black Excellence unstained by degradation/ Where freedom reigns over incarceration/ Where Black joy is only met with celebration."
RIYL Cold World, American Nightmare, Jesus Piece.
