POWERNERD – noun 1. A person of any gender who has, through tenacity and perseverance, turned what society may deem as a ‘weakness’ into a superpower. 2. A total fucking badass. 3. You.
Devin Townsend is pleased to announce the release of his forthcoming new studio album ‘PowerNerd’ on the 25thOctober 2024. Devin Townsend’s career is one of many distinct eras. He’s been the leader of Strapping Young Lad, the lynchpin of the Devin Townsend Project and the co-architect of country duo Casualties of Cool, all while maintaining his prolific and lauded solo project. Now, the polymath’s newest era starts with ‘PowerNerd’.
“It was a conscious thing,” Devin says of his brand-new album, the music on which he wrote in just 11 days. “I thought, ‘I’ve spent so much time overthinking every aspect of my work – what would happen if I didn’t?’ Maybe I would have the opportunity to be a bit more direct with what it is that I’m trying to do. I really wanted to see if I could cut through some of the meandering.”
A song that embodies that, is the album’s title track (which features a guest spot from Jamey Jasta), and you can watch the video for that high-speed rampage of a song here:
However, that aggression is far from the only thing to come from PowerNerd’s 11 episodic tracks. ‘Dreams of Light’, by comparison, is an evocative and dynamic four-minute ballad. ‘Younger Lover’ calms down from an explosive opening to lush verses of synths and singing, whereas ‘Falling Apart’ and ‘Jainism’ add texture after texture on top of dulcet, acoustic introductions.
Where PowerNerd’s music was written in less than a fortnight, its lyrics were refined over a far longer period of time into a narrative about strength and healing. On ‘Falling Apart’, Devin commands himself to “keep the tension under control”. “You’ve got to believe that things will only get better,” subsequent song “Gratitude” powerfully declares. These uplifting messages even play into the record’s title.
Devin offers as a definition: “I would say that a powernerd would be somebody that has a tendency that society has deemed weak or not valuable, whether that’s empathy or being an insular person or an introvert, and turns that into a type of personal power. It’s like, ‘OK, yeah, I’m sensitive to this, that and the other thing, but man, I am going to pull through! I am going to do things with that sensitivity that are rooted in strength.’”
‘PowerNerd’ will be available on several different formats, including a Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook (featuring the album, bonus tracks and Devin’s first ever Dolby Atmos mix), Limited 2CD Digipak in O-card, Standard CD, Gatefold 2LP & Digital Album. The full tracklisting for the main album is as follows:
The album’s artwork was created by longtime collaborator Travis Smith.
As well as express strength through adversity, PowerNerd will open the door to Devin’s immediate future. Its positivity and succinctness will soon be contrasted by follow-up The Moth – self-described as “orchestral, over-the-top, dark and uncomfortable” – and the “alien weirdness” of finale Axolotl. Both efforts have already been written, and together the trilogy will express the mind-boggling range of this man’s musical talent.
Paganfest returns after 10 years with the strongest line-up (Alestorm, Ensiferum, Týr, Heidevolk & Elvenking) and the most and biggest shows ever!
Created by RTN-Touring (Rock The Nation) between 2008-2015 with seven editions in Europe and two more in the USA, Paganfest was the most successful festival tour of the pagan & folk metal scene. Since Paganfest was put on hiatus, many fans and bands have been asking for the next edition.
Now the time has come: Paganfest is coming back with a blast, in legendary venues all over Europe and UK!
Paganfest has been an important part of many bands’ history – it helped to grow many of your favourite bands to headliner status over the years. Five of these bands have now teamed up to raise the Paganfest flag again, so let’s drink from a horn (not from a can)!
Jan 08 – Hamburg, Germany @ Grosse Freiheit Jan 09 – Groningen, Netherlands @ Oosterpoort Jan 10 – Stuttgart, Germany @ Filharmonie Jan 11 – Oberhausen, Germany @ Turbinenhalle * extended show with special guests Jan 12 – Berlin, Germany @ Huxley’s Neue Welt Jan 13 – Roskilde, Denmark @ Congress Centre Jan 14 – Bremen, Germany @ Aladin Music Hall Jan 16 – Birmingham, United Kingdom @ O2 Academy Jan 17 – Edinburgh, United Kingdom @ O2 Academy Jan 18 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ O2 Victoria Warehouse Jan 19 – London, United Kingdom @ O2 Academy Brixton Jan 20 – Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique Jan 21 – Wiesbaden, Germany @ Schlachthof Jan 22 – Paris, France @ Zenith Jan 23 – Pratteln, Switzerland @ Z7 Konzertfabrik Jan 24 – Geiselwind, Germany @ Eventzentrum * extended show with special guests Jan 25 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage Jan 26 – Liege, Belgium @ OM Jan 28 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz Jan 29 – Lyon, France @ Transbordeur Jan 30 – Lausanne, Switzerland @ Salle Metropole Jan 31 – Meisenthal, France @ Halle Verrière Feb 01 – Leipzig, Germany @ Felsenkeller Feb 02 – Tilburg, Netherlands @ 013 Poppodium Feb 03 – Hannover, Germany @ Capitol Feb 05 – Krakow, Poland @ Studio Feb 06 – Warsaw, Poland @ Progresja Feb 07 – Zlin, Czechia @ Hala Datart Feb 08 – Budapest, Hungary @ Barba Negra * extended show with special guests Feb 09 – Zagreb, Croatia @ Tvornica
ALESTORM translates:
“Ahoy, ye scallywags and metal-hearted marauders! After a decade lost at sea, Paganfest be returnin’ with a thunderous roar, boastin’ the mightiest crew o’ bands ever to sail the seven stages! With Alestorm, Ensiferum, Týr, Heidevolk, and Elvenking at the helm, this here voyage be the grandest and most raucous yet!
Back in the days of yore, between 2008 and 2015, RTN-Touring (that be Rock The Nation, ye landlubbers) unleashed seven legendary editions across Europe and two more in the treacherous waters of the USA. Paganfest, the most triumphant festival tour of the pagan and folk metal scene, set sail and captured the hearts o’ metalheads far and wide. But alas, the festival was cast into the abyss, leavin’ fans and bands alike yearnin’ for its return.
But hoist the colors and mark yer maps, for the time has come to weigh anchor once more! Paganfest be blastin’ back into port with a vengeance, conquerin’ legendary venues all across Europe and the UK!
This here festival be a vital chapter in the tales of many a band’s rise to glory, helpin’ to transform ’em from humble deckhands to mighty headliners. Now, five o’ these intrepid bands be joinin’ forces to hoist the Paganfest flag high once again. So grab yer horns o’ ale (and toss aside them landlubberly cans), and prepare to set sail on the wildest, most metal journey o’ yer life! Arrr!”
ENSIFERUM are special guests on the Paganfest MMXXV tour with their brand new record “Winter Storm” coming 18th October 2024). Petri Lindroos sent a short message to the fans:
“I’m so happy to announce Paganfest returning after 10 full years. It’s gonna’ be a great package with Alestorm, Ensiferum, Týr, Heidevolk and Elvenking. Coming in January – February 2025. See you at the shows!”
Sami Hinkka adds: “New album, new year, old friends! We are super excited to join forces with the metal scene’s finest: Alestorm, Týr , Heidevolk and Elvenking. This tour will make it to the history books! Grab your swords, drinking horns and bottles of rum, because Paganfest is back!”
TÝR as a cornerstone of the Paganfest history has a highlighted position now on Paganfest MMXXV – Heri Joensen talks about the recent news around the band:
“PAGANFEST returns at a very opportune time!
Our latest album, Battle Ballads, came in April this year. We’ve been on tour in North America, and we have played some fests in Europe this summer. Battle Ballads comes with a line-up change. Hans Hammer steps in on guitar for Terji Skibenæs. Our current line-up is the strongest we have had.
Paganfest will be the perfect opportunity for us to play some new bangers, as well as our ancient heathen hits, for our fans on the continent.
Paganfest used to be a reoccuring theme for us, and on those tours we met many of the bands we know and are friends with today, and Paganfest introduced us to a lot of new people around Europe and North America.
It’s a powerful and nostalgic feeling to see the Paganfest banner again.
This can only be good! So get your tickets now, and we’ll see you somewhere in Europe this winter, for Paganfest MMXXV”
Paganfest MMXXV is the first EU tour for the latest HEIDEVOLK album “Wederkeer”. Bandboss and bassist Rowan Roodbaert comments:
“We are beyond excited to announce our return to the legendary Paganfest, world’s premier folk and pagan metal mega tour! As veterans of multiple Pagan and Heidenfests, this festival holds a special place in Heidevolk’s history. We can’t wait to hit the road again and join forces with our friends in this killer line-up!
The return of Paganfest perfectly echoes the spirit of our latest album, Wederkeer (which means “return” or “revive”). We’ll be bringing you the very best of our latest songs along with classic bangers that take you deep into Heidevolk’s legacy.
Those who’ve experienced Paganfest before know this is a celebration you can’t afford to miss. Get ready for a night of raised horns, heavy music, and a unique heathen happening that unites old and new fans of the genre.
Brace yourselves friends, for the Pagan Metal Brotherhood is on the rise!”
Last, but not least – as there are no fillers just killers on Paganfest MMXXV – ELVENKING, who were sorely missed by the community from the previous editions, are finally here!
The Italian pagans are releasing their brand new album “Reader of the Runes – Luna” (the grandiose final chapter of the RotR trilogy) right before the festival tour:
“Paganfest is where Elvenking fits perfectly . We always looked at the old festival line ups in the past and felt it would be the perfect package to tour with one day, both musically and conceptually. Finally we can be part of the resurrected brand and cannot be more excited . All other bands have participated in several editions of the tour and even if we are mostly opening the concerts, it will be amazing to be part of this. Our new album , last chapter of the “Reader of the Runes” trilogy, is 100 % done and ready to be released so it will be great to play songs from this huge story plus some of our classics under the banner of Paganfest all over Europe . May the winds blow fair at your backs….”
Zero Hour is upon us! CANTERVICE is ready to drop their bombshell debut album, available for pre-order now from FiXT. Purchase/Stream: https://link.fixtmusic.com/zer0hour
Releasing with the album pre-order announcement is “Enemy At The Gates.” The track is a hair raising turbulent dive into the deep dark recesses of the future. Energetic and fierce the song possesses every hard core quality fans have come to love from the band. With vocals that continue to oscillate between brutal and powerful, threaded into thrashing guitars, and heavy beats, CANTERVICE’s ability to merge heavy instrumentation with deep narrative will not be denied. “Enemy at the gates, won’t you let us in?”
CANTERVICE steps up with a dark vision of the dystopian future with Zero Hour. “We stand on the precipice of an era where the shadows of oppression grow larger with every passing day. The world as we knew it is gone. Someone hit the reset switch and there were those standing by waiting to take advantage of the chaos,” explains CANTERVICE. Using an electrifying fusion of metalcore, alternative metal, and hard rock, Zero Hour features ten metalcore/alternative metal tracks and is testament to CANTERVICE‘s ability to blend fierce energy with intricate musical compositions. Tracks like “The Masquerade” have already amassed over one million streams across all platforms since inception. The album is packed with powerful anthems that push the boundaries of metalcore, alternative metal, and hard rock. With synthesizers, thrashing guitars, pounding drums, and driving bass lines, CANTERVICE delivers a relentless sonic experience that is both innovative and intense.
Singles like “Doomsday” produced, mixed, and mastered by RIAA Gold and Billboard charting producer/engineer Cameron Mizell, best known for his work with Sleeping With Sirens, Memphis May Fire, I See Stars, and The Word Alive set a high standard for the album. “What I love most about the album is the experience it provides,” explains Cam Mizell. “Robert & his team did a fantastic job creating a theme/vibe/world that the listener can immerse themselves in. Futuristic & perhaps post or pre apocalyptic themes are carried throughout the album in a way that tells a much larger story. A relatable story. As you listen through & connect with Robert’s lyrics, you really start to feel that you are living in the world of CANTERVICE. My goal was simply to catch that vibe & amplify it Big thanks to CANTERVICE & FiXT for having me on this album! It’s been a pleasure front to back. Enjoy!!!”
Other stand out compositions on Zero Hour include “Into The Dark” which portrays a character who descends into the depths of madness and isolation in a society on the brink of collapse; and “The Masquerade” which establishes its strength with a fierce layer of synthesizers, coupled with the thunderous rhythms, razor-edged guitar riffs, and brutal vocals; and alt-metal single “Blackout” described as an anthem for a rising generation picks up the dystopian-themed story from the citizens’ point of view. This debut album shines with CANTERVICE‘s unique blend of hard-hitting music and poignant lyrics, a perfect example of sonic story telling at its best. The band goes on to explain, “We’re now staring down the barrel of a future that threatens to annihilate our very humanity. We sacrifice privacy for convenience, freedom for the illusion of security, and our very lives are mirrored in cyberspace, available for anyone to exploit, whilst we’re too distracted by our modern vices to care. However, I stand before you to say that our destiny is not written in stone, but only if we stand not as victims, but as architects of our future. We must unite, and not under the banners that you see to the left and to the right, but as citizens of the Earth forging a new path together. Lift your heads and join us in bringing the dawn of a new era. We have worlds to win, and nothing left to lose. This is our new beginning. This is our Zero Hour.”
Pre-order Zero Hour starting August 23rd, featuring the single “Enemy At The Gates.” The next instant gratification single, “Point of No Return,” will be available on September 10th. The full album, including the focus track “Artificial Minds,” drops on September 27th.
CANTERVICE is an American concept-based electronic rock project, its core concepts centered around a future dystopian world, plagued by a government that has assumed control over all technology and information. “We simply want to inspire curiosity in those who are open to questioning their reality.”
Formed in January of 2021, CANTERVICE was destined to be the solo/side project of Robert Matlock with only one release, “Void.” However “Void” quickly crossed 100,000 streams across all platforms and there was a growing fanbase demanding new music.
CANTERVICE released its second single “The Machine” in December of 2021 leading to them signing to independent multi-genre label FiXT in early 2022. The four piece has released a stream of well received singles “Doomsday,” “Blackout,” “The Masquerade,” “Where Do We Stand,” and “Into The Dark” as they gear up to release their first inaugural album, Zero Hour, set to drop in September of 2024. The line up currently consists of Robert Matlock lead vocals, Randy Methe on drums, Eric Knighton on bass, and Nick Malan on guitar.
“Freedom is an illusion, one created by those who’ve taken the concept of freedom, hijacked it, and then repackaged it into a commodity. We live in a world where our thoughts, feelings, and interactions are stamped with a bar code and sold to the highest bidder. We are all victims of informational and psychological warfare on a day-to-day basis, and our perception of reality has become nothing more than what those wishing to play God have created for us. We belong to them now, and we allowed it to happen. We voted for it, invested in it, and as we descended into a state of Stockholm syndrome, we traded what rights we had left for security, to protect us from the same system that they created. It’s a system created for a single purpose, to ensure that we always will need them. Society has become brainwashed and sedated, slowly entering into a slumber of which there is no return. This was the plan from the beginning, the wheels are in motion and they are making their move. Now the question is, what will we do to stop it?” Welcome to CANTERVICE.
Southern rock torchbearers The Georgia Thunderbolts are thrilled to announce the release of their sophomore album, ‘Rise Above It All,’ out now via Mascot Records. The 13-track collection showcases the band’s signature blend of hard-hitting Southern rock, heartfelt Americana, and blues, signaling their continued growth and evolution as one of the leading acts in the genre.
In celebration of the album’s release, the band has also shared a brand-new music video for their latest single, “Wait.” The track dives deep into the themes of patience and perseverance, underscored by lush harmonies and rich, emotive instrumentation. The song features Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist Kurt Ozan, whose pedal steel adds a distinctive touch to the track.
“‘Wait’ is definitely about the more patient side of things,” shares frontman TJ Lyle. “It could be relationships, it could be just time in general. The message is, when you’re down and out and become impatient, remember to take a step back and really focus on the end goal. Could be love, could be position, it could really be anything. I say love in the song because I think it pertains to anything universally. Why do something if you don’t love it? Patience and understanding are the key!”
‘Rise Above It All’ follows the success of their debut album ‘Can We Get A Witness,’ which amassed millions of streams and established The Georgia Thunderbolts as a force to be reckoned with in the modern Southern rock landscape. With standout tracks like the anthemic “Stand Up” and the bluesy ballad “Crawling My Way Back To You,” the new album demonstrates the band’s range and emotional depth, drawing on influences from classic rock to Americana.
The release of ‘Rise Above It All’ also coincides with the kickoff of The Georgia Thunderbolts’ first-ever European headline tour. Starting today, August 23rd, in Isernhagen, Germany, the band will hit 10 cities across Europe, including stops in Denmark, The Netherlands, and France. This marks a major milestone for the group, whose international fanbase continues to grow as they share their electrifying performances with audiences worldwide.
1. Gonna Shine 2. Rock and Roll Record 3. Rise Above It All 4. Moonlight Play 5. Ain’t Got No Money 6. Wait 7. Crawling My Way Back To You, 8. She’s Gonna Get It 9. Little Jim 10. It Ain’t Easy 11. Stand Up 12. Whiskey Talkin’ 13. Pricetag
Following their European stint, the band will return stateside for a series of U.S. tour dates beginning in Athens, GA, on September 13th. With both international and domestic shows on the horizon, The Georgia Thunderbolts are poised to continue their meteoric rise. For more information on ‘Rise Above It All’ and to purchase tickets for their upcoming tour dates, visit georgiathunderbolts.com.
The Georgia Thunderbolts – upcoming EU Tour Dates Tuesday, August 27th – Colos-saal – Aschaffenburg, Germany Thursday, August 29th – Stadtfest – Oldenburg, Germany Friday, August 30th – Karosserifabrikiken – Helsingor, Denmark Saturday, August 31st – Sonderborghus – Sonderborg, Denmark Tuesday, September 3rd – Hafenbar Tegel – Berlin, Germany Wednesday, September 4th – Gaststatte Stock – Hagen, Germany Thursday, September 5th – Rock Jungfer – Arnstadt, Germany Friday, September 6th – La Cham – Cham, Germany Saturday, September 7th – Waldhaus – Heilbronn, Germany Sunday, September 8th – Raismes Fest – Raismes, France
Semiramis propose an old looking postcard from the past as first single taken from the album “La fine non esiste”: the image of Airship Italia standing out against “Tenda Rossa” (Red Tent), that is the song subject.
The track is about the Italian long-haul aviator Mr Umberto Nobile who wanted to “cercare l’impossibile” (look for the impossible) in 1928, but unfortunately fell down with his airship on the North Pole pack. Nobile managed to survive together with few men of his crew thanks to the Red Tent.
The lyrics celebrate, illustrate, question: “dov’è la verità di quel disastro? “ (where does the truth about that disaster lie?); music, on the other hand tries to describe the characters’ feelings: anguish, terror, resignation and final relief in a pure prog evolution.
Semiramis were born in 1971 in Centocelle district in Rome starting from a Maurizio Zarrillo, Marcello Reddavide and Memmo Pulvano’s idea. Shortly after, in view of the forthcoming concert in Villa Pamphili in Rome, Maurizio asks his brother Michele to join the band as a guitar player and singer: with this line up they perform during one of the festival’s events. Memmo Pulvano leaves the band in 1972 while Giampiero Artegiani and Paolo Faenza recruited by Michele join the band in turn. It takes a whole year to the band to compose the 7 songs that will be included in the full length “Dedicato a FRAZZ”, based on the literary work by Marcello Reddavide. FRAZZ is a psychopath that takes his name from the initials of the band’s members. After several important shows with well known bands such as Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, Osanna, Rovescio della medaglia, Raccomandata Ricevuta di Ritorno, Balletto di Bronzo, the band disbanded in 1974 also because of their inexperience due to their young age. They bequeathed that only italian progressive rock milestone.
Paolo Faenza decides to recreate the band in 2013. Therefore many relevant lives follow (Rome, Genoa, Japan), and many changes in the line up as well, also because of sudden departures.
The line up becomes stable in 2023 and records “La fine non esiste” with the following members: Paolo Faenza (drums, vibraphone), Ivo Mileto (bass), Emanuele Barco (electric guitars), Marco Palma (acoustic guitars), Giovanni Barco (voice) and Daniele Sorrenti (keyboards, organs, synth, flute). Physical copies are available in vinyl or eventually in digipack CD on the most important online stores, on the label BTF website or by contacting the band on their official Facebook page; digital version is available on all main streaming platforms.
As THE FIXER charges ahead with their electrifying national tour, the spotlight now shifts to their Eastern Canadian dates. Fans can brace themselves for an unforgettable experience as the band brings their distinctive sound to the region, delivering a thrilling mix of heavy riffs, catchy melodies, and an irresistible dark edge.
The Fixer’s formidable support act, Indigo, from Winnipeg, MB, joined them on select dates from August 24th to September 5th.
The upcoming Eastern Canadian leg of the “Love & Misfortune” Tour 2024 promises to showcase the band’s exceptional talent and boundless energy.
With their magnetic stage presence and heavy riffs, The Fixer is set to make a lasting impact on the Eastern Canadian music scene. Don’t miss your chance to witness one of the most exciting acts in rock today.
To get a taste of what’s to come, check out The Fixer’s latest updates and teaser video here:
Their critically acclaimed album, “Your Lie, is now available on all digital platforms HERE and in CD format HERE.
Follow The Fixer on their social media for all the latest updates:
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
