EUPHROSYNE will release their follow-up to the much-acclaimed debut EP Keres, on March 21st 2025 Morus will see the light of day!
Setting a stride in the artistically unbalanced year 2021 has been, Efi Eva (vocals) and Alex Despotidis (guitar) united forces under the banner of Euphrosyne. Based in Athens, Greece they shared a common vision for creating dark and adventurously melodic music, constantly breaking the barriers of what post-black metal presumably is.
Morus is an experiential concept album inspired by the true story of the loss of Alex Despotidis’s Mother from cancer in 2017. The narration begins with the realization of death and the feelings surrounding it until the final embrace, continues with the existential question “What happens after all comes to pass” and the depiction of pain and suffering. It moves forward towards the acceptance of the image of the person who is losing the battle and the last journey forward to the Asphodel Meadows, the section of the ancient Greek underworld where the majority of souls were sent to live after death. The music has been written by Alex Despotidis and the lyrics by Efi Eva, the mixing and mastering by Psychon (Septicflesh), and the artwork, as well as the photoshooting of the band, by Dimitris Tzortzis.zis.zis. zis.
Morus is an experiential concept album inspired by the true story of the loss of Alex Despotidis’s Mother from cancer in 2017. The narration begins with the realization of death and the feelings surrounding it until the final embrace, continues with the existential question “What happens after all comes to pass” and the depiction of pain and suffering. It moves forward towards the acceptance of the image of the person who is losing the battle and the last journey forward to the Asphodel Meadows, the section of the ancient Greek underworld where the majority of souls were sent to live after death. The music has been written by Alex Despotidis and the lyrics by Efi Eva, the mixing and mastering by Psychon (Septicflesh), and the artwork, as well as the photoshooting of the band, by Dimitris Tzortzis.
Track list 1. Morus 2. July 21th 3. Valley Of White 4. Eulogy 5. Funeral Rites 6. Mhtera 7. Asphodel 8. Lilac Ward
BONG-RA are the central project from Jason Köhnen (THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET, THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE, CELESTIAL SEASON), who over the past 25 years has used the alias to craft a diverse body of consistently challenging experimental work as one of the primary acts to meld underground Metal with electronics. The ever-evolving entity now returns with a new album, “Black Noise“, set for release on February 21st 2025.
A unique hybrid of glitch-laden electronica, metallic rebellion and anarchic energy, the album’s nine tracks redefine boundaries while maintaining the raw, unfiltered chaos that has characterized BONG-RA since the beginning:
All music, sound engineering & visuals by Jason Köhnen.
Jason provides deeper insight into the creation of the new album:
“BONG-RA has always balanced between the Metal and the Electronica universes and blending elements of both music genres to complement the rawness, aggression, anarchy and energy contained in both. “Black Noise” is a word play on the term “White Noise.” Instead of being “a constant background noise” or “meaningless or distracting commotion”, the script is flipped to the opposing meaning of White Noise’s definitions.
BONG-RA had been placed on a hiatus since around 2021 when the last album “Meditations” was released. This was a second album (after the 2018 “Antediluvian” album) that ventured into the realms of Doom/Jazz and Metal. The concept of these albums transformed into THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET which found a home on DMP (for the more-extreme compositions) and Denovali Records (for the more “traditional” Jazz compositions). The connection with DMP re-awakened the BONG-RA project to re-invent a new glitch metal electronica hybrid.“
As an initial gateway into this unrelenting album BONG-RA present first single, ‘Dystopic‘, accompanied by a gripping video. Blending the raw power of underground Metal with unrelenting electronic aggression, the track fuses distorted guitars, polyrhythms, and confrontational vocals into a grim Industrial Metal onslaught.
Jason comments on the first unveiled song/album opener:
“For the album, the songs are mostly composed “beat driven,” as I still have the formula to start with the rhythms first when diving into the BONG-RA project. It’s still a natural reflex, I guess. The guitars are in most cases also rhythmical additions to the songs more than “old-school riffing”. I think this gives it that industrial feel. A lot of noise loops were composed to add to the atmosphere and the glitchiness of the overall sound. A lot of detail was put into the textures that lie in the compositions; I think it gives the album its specific chaotic sounding vibe.“
“Black Noise” will be released on CD, vinyl, and digital on February 21st. The vinyl version is released in partnership with Netherland’s Tartarus Records who’s also doing a tape version of the album. Two specially designed t-shirts will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are possible via the label’s EU, US, and Bandcamp shops.
BONG-RA live dates – playing alongside THE ANSWER LIES IN THE BLACK VOID – are already confirmed for 2025:
Jason Köhnen began his musical journey in 1988 as the vocalist/bassist for BLUUURGH…, an underground Dutch Crust/Death Metal/Grindcore band. Following the release of an EP and LP, in 1991 he founded the Death-Doom band CELESTIAL SEASON, gaining widespread recognition as a prominent name in the genre outside the renowned ‘Peaceville 3′.
In 1996, Köhnen shifted from Metal to electronic music, creating the project BONG-RA and pioneering the intense Breakcore genre of electronica. His 1998 debut album led to a Peel Session in 2002, and established BONG-RA as one of the first acts to fuse Extreme Metal with electronics. The experimentation deepened with releases like the 2007 “Grindkrusher” EP, featuring BOLT THROWER samples, and collaborative releases with noise artist Maruosa in DEATHSTORM and the neo-classical Doom project WHITE DARKNESS.
Beyond BONG-RA, Kohnen co-founded THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and later THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION, releasing a series of cult albums up to 2013. Over his 30-year career, he has collaborated with notable artists such as VENETIAN SNARES and IGORRR, performed at major festivals including Glastonbury and Dour, and toured globally, sharing the stage with legendary acts like APHEX TWIN, MINISTRY and THE PRODIGY.
After a brief hiatus, during which BONG-RA explored Doom, Electronica and Jazz – including via 2018’s “Antediluvian” and 2022’s “Meditations” – Köhnen is now returning to his Metal and Grindcore roots. A deal with Debemur Morti Productions, also home to his Doomjazz project THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET, has been reached.
BONG-RA now prepares for a new era as a live three-piece featuring guitarists Attila Kovacs and Botond Fogl. This freshly rejuvenated vehicle for Metal/breaks fusion will debut in early 2025 with a new record “Black Noise” and an upcoming tour.
The Metal Voice House Band Release EXCALIBUR The Song, For some Christmas Cheer.
Singer Giles Lavery (Warlord, Alcatrazz, Jack Starr) teams up with The Metal Voice Podcaster, Editor, Jimmy Kay and producer (Paul Di’anno’s Hell over Waltrop, Jack Starr) multi- instrumentalist Thomas Mergler release the Epic EXCALIBUR song in time for a bit of Christmas cheer.
As a kid I used to write lyrics all the time hoping that one day my words would become an international hit song. So after watching the Excalibur movie sometime in 1981 I ran home and quickly wrote down the Excalibur lyrics. Forty three years later I posted the original lyrics on social media as a cute retro thing. Meanwhile Giles Lavery my close friend saw this post and texted me right away saying this needs to be a song… Lavery contacted producer and friend Thomas Mergler and the rest is history.” Jimmy Kay
Giles Lavery Added, “the concept of the video an homage to the fun of Iron Maiden comical Holy Smoke video. We also thought why not share some Christmas cheer right before the holidays and bring some smiles to everyone’s faces.
The Metal Voice House Band is Giles Lavery, Thomas ‘Rockt’ Mergler and Jimmy Kay
Excalibur Song by Giles Lavery -Vocals, Back Vocals and Melodies Thomas ‘Rockt’ Mergler- Music, Guitars, Bass, Drums & Producer Jimmy Kay- Lyrics and Keyboards
Excalibur Video by Jimmy Kay-Editor Giles Lavery- Camera Nicole Leitzbach- Camera
MOONLIGHT HAZE will release the new record “Beyond” in springtime 2025 through Scarlet Records.
Lead by sensational frontwoman Chiara Tricarico (currently live member of Avantasia and special guest on the “Highlights From The Revenge Of Odysseus” 2022 Manowar EP), Moonlight Haze has joined forces with extraordinary producer Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Kamelot, Beyond The Black) for their upcoming fourth studio album – expect nothing but sheer metal excellence.
Moonlight Haze has also renewed the contract with Scarlet Records, the record label that launched their career in 2019 – with over 5 million streams accumulated so far, a firm partnership forged in the stars and destined to the moon!
«We’re very looking forward to showing you what we’ve been working on during the last couple of years! We were beyond excited to be working with the legendary Sascha Paeth on the production of our fourth album and now we’re very happy to reveal we’ll be joining forces with Scarlet Records once more… It’s gonna be huge!» – (Chiara Tricarico – Moonlight Haze)
Moonlight Haze are: Chiara Tricarico – vocals Marco Falanga – guitar Alberto Melinato – guitar Alessandro Jacobi – bass Giulio Capone – drums and keyboards
From the heart of darkness, MENTAL CRUELTY finally unleash ZWIELICHT (DELUXE EDITION)! Bask in the original inferno, two reimagined offerings, and the cold, unholy instrumentals.
Featuring 22 tracks, including all the original, instrumentals and beautifully reimagined orchestral and piano versions, ZWIELICHT (DELUXE EDITION),is the perfect addition fans have been waiting for.
As a heartfelt “Thank you!” for everyone’s love and support CEMETERY SKYLINE are releasing THE COLDEST HEART (LIVE SEMI ACOUSTIC 2024) which was captured in an intimate setting short before the release of their debut album “Nordic Gothic” in October.
Markus Vanhala (guitar) is looking back: “We went all the way to New York City to celebrate the release of our album, “Nordic Gothic”, and besides all the partying at Duff’s we played a special secret show and did it the old school 90’s MTV Unplugged trio way. So here’s one result of that night, ‘The Coldest Heart’, in its most gentle and stripped down acoustic way. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed this special moment.”
The release comes shortly after CEMETERY SKYLINE were excited to learn that they were nominated for the Finnish Emma 2025 in the categories “Best Rock” and “Best Artist (public vote)”. Also, “Nordic Gothic” made it into several end of the year lists including the reader’s poll at Metal Injection: https://metalinjection.net/lists/metal-injection-readers-have-chosen-their-albums-of-the-year-2024
Chief Shock Video
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
Ads
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 