Shamanic UK alternative metal collective CRIMSON VEIL string the bow of anticipation even further today. As they barrel toward their debut album “Hex,” due out on September 20, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), the quartet conjured the fourth single which literally spellbinds fans with its haunting lyrics and music video. ‘Ribbons’ is a song firmly rooted in the shadows that lie at the heart of CRIMSON VEIL, completed by lead singer Mishkin‘s writing about when too many choices in life can actually become restrictions.
CRIMSON VEIL explain, “This metaphor is brought to life through a Shibari-themed music video that sees the band tied in different rope positions and suspended, mid-air, in cages. Accompanying this striking scene is a backdrop of dreamy, ethereal metal that drifts from delicate melodies into a heavy crescendo.”
Pre-order “Hex” in your preferred format [jewel-case CD or red opaque vinyl in gatefold], pre-save it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or pre-order the album digitally to receive ‘Ribbons,’‘Shift,’‘Illuminate’ and ‘Flinch’ instantly now, here: https://crimsonveil.rpm.link/hexPR
Creating unique, sinister soundscapes, the UK based outfit ingeniously combines elements of rock, metal and cinematic music while lyrically covering esoteric topics, accompanied by dark visual aesthetics. The four talented multi-instrumentalists originally come from different band projects and bring an impressive touring history across the UK, the US and Mexico. They have worked with music industry greats such as Paul Reeve (MUSE etc.) and John Fryer (DEPECHE MODE, NINE INCH NAILS) in the past.
CRIMSON VEIL are: Mishkin Fitzgerald | vocals Garry Mitchell | guitars Hana Piranha | electric cello Anna Mylee | drums
Alt-metal outfitFROM ASHES TO NEWhave rolled out a lyric video for the thunderous “Monster In Me” featuring rapper Yelawolf, one of the six bonus tracks featured on the deluxe version of their #1-charting 2023 album, BLACKOUT. Watch it streaming below or via YouTube HERE.
BLACKOUT (DELUXE) was released in June via Better Noise Music and includes additional guest features from Aaron Pauley of Of Mice & Men, Matty Mullins of Memphis Mayfire and Chrissy Costanza from Against The Current, who is featured on FROM ASHES TO NEW’s #2 charting Active Rock radio single “Barely Breathing.” BLACKOUT (DELUXE)isavailable across digital platforms now at https://fatn.ffm.to/blackoutdeluxe.
Following several sold-out shows supporting BLACKOUT earlier this year, FROM ASHES TO NEW will continue to bring their “melodic, emotive and undeniably powerful” (mxdwn) blend of hard rock, hip-hop, electronic, and alternative music to audiences across the U.S. this fall. The band will join Nothing More and Set It off along with Post Profit from September 3 to 24 before breaking off on a co-bill with Set It Off from September 21 to November 2 with special guests New Years Day and If Not For Me. Find dates, tickets, and VIP upgrades at https://www.fromashestonew.com/tour.
FROM ASHES TO NEW Upcoming Tour Dates: 9/3 Little Rock, AR – The Hall # 9/5 San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port # 9/6 Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center # 9/7 Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom # 9/9 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle # 9/10 Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works # 9/13 Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues # 9/14 Lake Buena Vista, FL – House of Blues # 9/15 St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live # 9/19 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore # 9/21 Johnstown, PA – Frank J. Pasquarella Conference Center * 9/23 Buffalo, NY – Buffalo RiverWorks # 9/24 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre # 9/25 Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection ^ 9/28 Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre ^ 9/29 Omaha, NE – The Admiral ^ 10/1 Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater ^ 10/2 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre ^ 10/5 Fresno, CA – Tioga Sequoia Brewery ^ 10/7 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater ^ 10/8 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory ^ 10/9 Seattle, WA – Showbox Sodo ^ 10/11 Bend, OR – Midtown Ballroom ^ 10/15 Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater ^ 10/17 Wichita, KS – Cotillion ^ 10/19 Davenport, IA – Capitol Theater ^ 10/22 Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center ^ 10/23 Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room ^ 10/25 Syracuse, NY – Sharkey’s Stage ^ 10/26 Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater ^ 10/27 Worcester, MA – The Palladium ^ 10/29 Albany, NY – Empire Live ^ 10/30 Portland, ME – Aura ^ 11/1 Stroudsburg, PA – The Sherman Theater ^ 11/2 Wantagh, NY – Mulcahy’s Concert Hall ^
#with Nothing More, Set It Off, and Post Profit ^with Set It Off, New Years Day, and If Not For Me *with Set It Off and If Not For Me
Taken off their much-awaited, new studio album ‘Circle Of Life’, slated for a release on September 13, 2024 via AFM Records, iconic hard rock act VICTORY has unleashed a brand new single entitled “Virtual Sin”!‘Circle Of Life’ can be pre-ordered here: https://victory.bfan.link/circle-of-life
Their forthcoming studio offering sees the five-piece surrounding founder and iconic guitarist Herman Frank not only effortlessly build on earlier feats, but also sounds stronger than ever. Frank recently described the release with its first-rate production as “even more grown-up and mature than its predecessor, we’ve taken the new songs to a whole new level in every respect.” He knows what this optimised performance is due to: “The group operates as a tight unit, based on the experience of the many live shows we’ve played together. ‘Circle Of Life’ brings together what has grown together and belongs together.” ‘
Following a series of previously-released songs, today, VICTORY strike back with their latest single, the album closing track “Virtual Sin”! Herman Frank says, this song is “pure Rock‘n’Roll. Nothing more and nothing less!”
Naturally, the excellent reputation of a successful hard rock act such as VICTORY is based – among other things – on the superb achievements of their long-standing career. The early days of the Hanover-based group date back to the 1980s and include immortal album classics and successful tours around the globe. However, none of this would account for much or would indeed be classed as anything but nostalgia if their present accomplishments weren’t on a par with the band’s impressive past.
All of the ten new album tracks were recorded by Herman Frank together with vocalist Gianni Pontillo, rhythm guitarist Mike Pesin, bassist Malte Frederik Burkert and drummer Michael Stein at Hanover’s famous Horus Sound Studios, featuring a mix courtesy of sound engineer Arne Neurand.
The album title and matching cover artwork, into which graphic designer Oleg (Voodoo) Shcherbakov has incorporated a philosophical “maths problem” by German artist Rune Mields, also deserve an explanation: They’re about the cycle of life mentioned in the moniker and what people leave behind at the end of their earthly existence. As far as Herman Frank is concerned, it’s pretty obvious that ‘Circle Of Life’ will be VICTORY’s powerful statement for posterity which their fans will continue to enjoy. He says: “For us, this recording is also the perfect ticket for even more and even more passionate Victory concerts.” Rest assured that there will be plenty of those in autumn 2024 and early 2025, find all upcoming dates listed below, with many more to follow!
‘Circle Of Life’ Tracklist: 01 -Tonight We Rock 02 – American Girl 03 – Count On Me 04 – Surrender My Heart 05 – Unbelievable World 06 – Moonlit Sky 07 – Falling 08 – Money 09 – Reason To Love 10 – Virtual Sin
VICTORY Live: 26.09.2024 – GER – Dortmund, Musiktheater Piano 27.09.2024 – GER – Bensheim, Musiktheater Rex 28.09.2024 – GER – Trier, Mergener Hof 29.09.2024 – GER – Munich, Backstage 02.10.2024 – GER – Gera, Comma 03.10.2024 – GER – Regensburg, Eventhall Airport 04.10.2024 – CH – Biberist, P9 06.10.2024 – GER – Nuremberg, Hirsch 16.01.2025 – GER – Siegburg, Kubana Live Club* 17.01.2025 – GER – Munich, Backstage* 18.01.2025 – GER – Glauchau, Alte Spinnerei* 23.01.2025 – GER – Stuttgart, Im Wizemann* 24.01.2025 – GER – Hamburg, Markthalle* 25.01.2025 – GER – Andernach, JUZ Live Club* 26.01.2025 – CH – Pratteln, Z7 Konzertfabrik* 30.01.2025 – GER – Nuremberg, Hirsch* 31.01.2025 – GER – Aschaffenburg, Colos-Saal* 01.02.2025 – GER – Memmingen, Kaminwerk* 02.02.2025 – GER – Mannheim, 7erClub* 06.02.2025 – GER – Berlin, Hole 44* 07.02.2025 – GER – Neuruppin, Kulturzentrum* 08.02.2025 – GER – Essen, Turock*
*w/ Grave Digger
VICTORY is: Gianni Pontillo (Vocals) Herman Frank (Guitar) Mike Pesin (Guitar) Malte Frederik Burkert (Bass) Michael Stein (Drums)
Wormholedeath Records is thrilled to announce the signing of Italy’s premier female-fronted symphonic power metal band, JUST REBORN. This dynamic ensemble is set to unleash their highly anticipated debut album, “Formae Mentis,” a sonic masterpiece hitting the airwaves on November 8th, 2024.
Formed in 2020, Just Reborn emerged from the rich musical heritage of Italy. Founding members Jack Massa (drums), Monica Bisquadro (vocals), and Giancarlo Russo (guitar and bass) combined their diverse musical backgrounds and creative energies to forge a new path in the metal scene. Joined by keyboard maestro Salvatore “Rino” Danese, the band represents a powerful rebirth of their enduring passion for music and longstanding friendship.
The Journey to “Formae Mentis”:
Crafted over three years, “Formae Mentis” is a concept album that delves into the intricate labyrinth of the human mind. Each track is a testament to the band’s dedication, showcasing influences ranging from classical music to power metal, medieval echoes to progressive rock, blues to lyrical opera. This rich tapestry of sounds has been meticulously woven together, resulting in a symphonic power metal album that is both unique and compelling.
The album addresses themes of emotions, depression, and the modern world’s challenges, culminating in a profound exploration of artificial intelligence and its potential consequences. The journey through “Formae Mentis” is guided by the band’s intricate compositions and powerful performances, promising an unforgettable experience for listeners.
Special Guest Appearance:
“Formae Mentis” features the legendary Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius) on the standout track “Dreams of Euphoria.” This collaboration adds an extra layer of depth and excitement to the album, elevating it to new heights.
Join us as we embark on this exhilarating musical journey with Just Reborn and “Formae Mentis.” Prepare to be captivated by the symphonic power metal prowess of Italy’s newest sensation!
“Formae Mentis” tracklist:
Intro
Dreams of Euphoria (feat. Timo Tolkki)
Strong on my own
Imago Animi
Interlude
Alter Ego
Lonely Souls Lullaby
Brain fag
Cannonball
Cynical lies
Ad Aspera
Don’t hurt my soul
Outro
Get a sneak peek of Just Reborn’s upcoming single “Dreams of Euphoria” feat. Timo Tolkki:
Death metal battalion VITRIOL are embarking on an extensive North American tour in support of GOATWHORE. The trek will kick off today, August 9, in Baton Rouge, LA and will make its way through the continent until the final stop on September 30 in Pensacola, FL. The full itinerary can be found below!
VITRIOL’s highly anticipated new album, ‘Suffer & Become,’ is now available worldwide via Century Media Records!
‘Suffer & Become’ is now available HERE. The album will be available digitally as well as in Standard CD Jewelcase, Ltd. Deep Blood Red LP (All ex-US Retail), Orange Crush LP (All US Retail), and Red / Yellow / Black Transp. Splatter LP (Band Exclusive).
08/09: Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Live 08/10: Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock 08/11: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 08/12: Dallas, TX @ CheapSteaks 08/13: El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace 08/14: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad 08/15: Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge 08/16: Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction 08/17: San Diego, CA @ Casbah 08/18: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 08/20: Las Vegas, NV @ Backstage Bar 08/21: Morro Bay, CA @ The Siren 08/22: San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge 08/23: Sacramento, CA @ The Starlet Room Harlow’s 08/24: Bend, OR @ Volcanic Theatre Pub 08/25: Portland, OR @ Dante’s 08/27: Seattle, WA @ Substation 08/28: Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt 08/30: Calgary, AB @ Commonwealth 08/31: Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room 09/02: Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre 09/03: Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium 09/05: Cave In Rock, IL @ FTA Open Air 09/06: Iowa City, IA @ Gabe’s 09/07: St Paul, MN @ Turf Club 09/08: Cudahy, WI @ X-Ray Arcade 09/09: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle 09/10: Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups 09/11: Cleveland, OH @ No Class 09/12: Toledo, OH @ Frankies-Inner City 09/13: Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit 09/14: Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme 09/15: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary 09/17: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace 09/18: Ottawa, ON @ Brass Monkey 09/19: Montreal, QC @ Piranha Bar 09/20: Boston, MA @ Middle East 09/21: Syracuse, NY @ The Song & Dance 09/22: Brooklyn, NY @ Metal Injection Festival 09/23: Mechanicsburg, PA @ Lovedraft’s 09/24: Baltimore, MD @ Metro 09/25: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 09/27: Orlando, FL @ Conduit 09/28: Miami, FL @ Gramps 09/29: Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits 09/30: Pensacola, FL @ Handlebar
The artwork for ‘Suffer & Become’ was created by Dylan Humphries.
He Will Fight Savagely [WATCH] Running Time: (00:42:14)
For Portland, Oregon’s VITRIOL, nothing comes easy. Nothing. The title of their second Century Media album, ‘Suffer & Become,’ says it all. “The title really sums it up,” says guitarist and vocalist Kyle Rasmussen. “I pushed things to a point while making this album where it almost became untenable. Things that were supposed to be done in weeks took months. It wasn’t easy, but I think it was suffering well spent.”
At the core of ‘Suffer & Become’ lies a profound sense of extremity and unease. This very essence defines Vitriol as the vanguard in death metal’s evolutionary path—a sonic landscape characterized by its profound darkness, density, and the infusion of nanotechnological precision interwoven with intense, seething emotions. Not easy listening in the slightest. Since forming in 2013, Rasmussen and longtime co-conspirator, bassist, and co-vocalist Adam Roethlisberger have worked with a single-minded vision: to push the genre to its breaking point and invent a new uncompromising paradigm in the process. VITRIOL is a masterclass in pain – and that’s just their jumping-off point.
Recounting VITRIOL’s initial journey into the outer fringes of extremity, Rasmussen is characteristically thoughtful. “I was starving for something that didn’t pull any punches,” says Kyle of VITRIOL’s caustic mission statement, which detonated into the realm of extreme metal with 2013’s ‘Antichrist’ demo. “Death metal was important to me because it speaks to an aggression, a frustration that I had when I was younger. It wasn’t just a sonic connection but an emotional connection, which made music almost a means to an end. What I saw happening in extreme metal at the time was almost a removal of emotion in favor of musicality, that fire, that piss and vinegar spirit. Basically, I wanted something that wanted me dead.”
With 2017’s ‘Pain Will Define Their Death’ EP, VITRIOL took its spot as one of the underground’s most uncompromising exponents, leading them to join forces with Century Media. The resultant album, 2019’s “To Bathe from the Throat of Cowardice,” was nothing short of a crucial next step for the band and the genre itself. Decibel Magazine said, “Vitriol leave no doubt they are one of the best the genre has to offer, with shades of Nile, Hate Eternal, and Anaal Nathrakh frequently peeking through.” Hitting the road that year, at first in Europe with Nile and then in the US with Cattle Decapitation and Atheist, and then Vader before the onset of Covid, VITRIOL was quick to establish themselves as much of an uncompromising force onstage as they are on record.
“Doing ‘Black Seeds of Vengeance’ alongside Karl Sanders [of Nile] onstage in Europe on our very first tour was nothing short of a ‘pinch me’ moment,” Kyle recounts from VITRIOL’s early touring days. “More recently, we were touring with Morbid Angel, and Steve Tucker, who is my favorite Morbid Angel vocalist, came out of his dressing room in a VITRIOL t-shirt and exclaimed that we were one of his favorite new bands! That blew my mind as a fan, first and foremost – a total ‘Holy Fuck!’ moment.”
‘Suffer & Become’ is nothing short of a benchmark for VITRIOL (rounded out by guitarist Daniel Martinez and Matt Kilner). It’s as dense and blackened as anything to erupt from Rasmussen’s vision of sonic disorder. From the onset of the opening track, “Shame and Its Afterbirth,” there’s a new sense of openness, grandeur, and occasional beauty in VITRIOL’s aural arsenal. “I wanted to have an album that had a stark duality to it,” says Kyle. “Very high highs and very low lows. We’re very familiar with the lows but not so much with the triumphant highs. I wanted the album to have more of a sense of optimism to it, both lyrically and musically. I wanted the album to convey a sense of optimism that probably gets lost in the black maelstrom that is the first album.”
Produced by Rasmussen and mixed by Dave Otero (Archspire, Cattle Decapitation), ‘Suffer &
Become’ isn’t merely the sound of VITRIOL upping the ante in death metal’s musical arms race; it is also the sound of salvation for its driving force. “Living in the world of that first album was very difficult for me,” says Rasmussen. “It’s not a nice place. It was very intentionally imbalanced in the same way a horror film is imbalanced. I wanted a healthier world for me to live in, and I believe I achieved that.”
Not that the writing and recording of ‘Suffer & Become’ was anything short of soul-rending. Rasmussen labored over the creation of the album in the studio, on tour in hotel rooms, to the point of painstaking obsessiveness. Kyle is straightforward about the grueling record-making process and its personal impact. “The record feels a bit like a Jungian Dante’s Inferno,” he states. “Plumbing the circles of my personal, psychological, and spiritual hell and then purposely refocusing it so it’s not the unhinged, dark catharsis of the first album. This record is a lot more vulnerable.”
Songs like “Weaponized Loss” or “The Flowers of Sadism” are what Kyle describes as a “dark baptism” in comparison to the absolute darkness of “To Bathe…”. The sound of VITRIOL remains as joyless and dark as ever, but with a glimmer of hope. VITRIOL has taken its trauma-put-to-sound approach to the next level and discovered a new sense of beauty in the blackness. ‘Suffer & Become’ is death metal with a bloody, beating heart.
Line-Up: Kyle Rasmussen – Guitars and Vocals Adam Roethlisberger – Bass and Vocals Matt Kilner – Drums Daniel Martinez – Guitars
Producer // Mixing // Mastering: Dave Otero Bio: Mike Gitter
Danish hard rock quartet BLACK OAK COUNTY releases their third album, taking them to new musical horizons, with a wide mix of thundering breakdowns, catchier choruses than ever before, a massive wall of pounding guitar riffs, and a heartfelt piano ballad.
“III” is co-written and produced with Danish metal heavyweight Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Aries Descendant, Danish Eurovision preliminaries), which proved to be a fruitful creative relationship between the two parties.
“We came to Nicklas and worked on [the singles] “Save Your Breath” and “Fire Inside” together back in 2023, and we absolutely loved the process”, the band says. “It was amazing for us to have someone as competent as Nicklas giving us feedback on our songs, their structures, compositions and riffs – just to have someone impartial to work with, who wanted nothing but the best for the songs was awesome. We knew right away that we wanted to do a full album together, and hadn’t left the studio before we started working on songs for “III” together”.
The album marks a return-to-form for the band, reuniting with guitarist/singer Niels Beier on 2022’s singles “Back For Blood” and “It’s On You”, produced by former grammy nominee Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Asinhell) and co-written with Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes, Mike Tramp). Now with both Beier and singer/bassist René Kristensen doing vocal duties in the band, new musical doors have opened for the Esbjerg-based rockers.
“We realized we had two great singers and hadn’t utilized it before”, Kristensen confirms. “We took advantage of that on “Back For Blood”, but have worked out the songs for the album with this in mind. There’s a lot of back-and-forth between us on this album, swapping verses and choruses, doing harmonies for each other’s parts, etc., and we sound better than ever on this album!”.
Black Oak County have dug deep into their pile of musical ideas, in order to come up with a wider range of songs than ever, incorporating brand new ideas with older material from the early days of their career. “III” is an energetic record, with the band’s well-known mixture of high-intensity low-tuned riffs paying homage to their metal and hard rock heroes, mixed with modern mixing techniques, synthesizers and a fresh take on the band’s familiar sound.
“III” will be released on digipack CD, LP (black and green vinyl versions available, each limited to 200 copies) and digital on October 25th, 2024 via Mighty Music. Pre-orders are available at this link.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video