Polish extreme metal giants, the mighty BEHEMOTH, will release their monumental anniversary concert XXX Years Ov Blasphemy from 2021 on October 25th, 2024 as 3CD + BluRay, 3LP and Digital Album.
The career-spanning show, held at and filmed on three different locations, has a total running time of 90 minutes, divided into three different acts, and features fan favourites as well as a few selected deep cuts that BEHEMOTH had rarely played live before.
As a second preview you can now watch the live video for the song ‘The Thousand Plagues I Witness‘ which originally appeared on their 1998 full length,Pandemonic Incantations.
KREATOR has dropped a powerful live video for the title song of their acclaimed most recent albumHate Über Alles, taken from their monumental performance in Chile in April, 2023. Fans can relive the mayhem and massive circle pits that erupted throughout the night, showcasing the raw energy that onlyKREATOR and their Chilean Hordes can command.
This video is a preview of KREATOR’s full live performance in Chile, which will be released as a live album via streaming services on November 19th, 2024.
The ‘Klash of the Titans‘ makes its triumphant return to North America! Fans will enjoy an epic night of metal with thrash royalty KREATOR and TESTAMENT co-headlining the run. The 34-date trek will make its way across the US and will include 7 Canadian dates before concluding in San Francisco on October 27th. Joining the night are special guests Bay Area death metal pioneers and labelmates POSSESSED.
The remaining dates for KREATOR‘s co-headlining ‘Klash Of The Titans North American 2024‘ tour with TESTAMENT and special guests POSSESSED are: 10/03 Toronto, ON @ History 10/04 Montreal, QC @ MTELUS 10/05 New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall 10/06 Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues | Boston 10/08 Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore | Silver Spring 10/10 Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater 10/11 Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center 10/12 Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz | Raleigh 10/13 Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle 10/15 Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live 10/16 St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live 10/18 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall 10/19 San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec Theatre 10/20 Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum 10/22 Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium 10/23 Albuquerque, NM @ Albuquerque Convention Center 10/24 Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren 10/26 Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium 10/27 San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
International metal forces join in a monstrous union between Kreator andUS metal monsters, Anthrax. Completing this unmissable line-up, a very special guest, the Bay Area’s metal machine, Testament!
KREATOR + ANTHRAX 2024 EUROPEAN TOUR w/ very special guests Testament 21-Nov-2024 UK – Manchester, O2 Apollo 22-Nov-2024 UK – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall 23-Nov-2024 UK – London, Eventim Apollo 25-Nov-2024 IE – Dublin, 3 Arena 27-Nov-2024 UK – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 29-Nov-2024 FR – Paris, Zenith 30-Nov-2024 DE – Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle 01-Dec-2024 DE – Munich, Zenith 03-Dec-2024 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette, Rockhal 04-Dec-2024 CH – Zurich, Halle 622 06-Dec-2024 IT – Milan, Alcatraz 07-Dec-2024 DE – Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle 08-Dec-2024 DE – Berlin, Uber Eats Music Hall 10-Dec-2024 HU – Budapest, Barba Negra 11-Dec-2024 PL – Katowice, Spodek 13-Dec-2024 DE – Frankfurt, Jahrhunderthalle 14-Dec-2024 DE – Hamburg, Edel Optics Arena 15-Dec-2024 NL – Den Bosch, Mainstage
Swedish hard rock sensation, Symphony of Sweden returns with their emotionally charged new single, “You Fooled My Heart.” Lee (vocals) and Evan (keyboards) opened up about the inspiration behind the song, its creation process, and what fans can expect next.
The story behind the song
Lee explained the emotional depth behind “You Fooled My Heart“, noting that many people fall for someone who plays the perfect partner but ultimately leaves them heartbroken. “There’s a lot of fake people out there,” Lee said. “But also, a lot of people want real love, but don’t know how to act or be.”
Cinematic soundtrack
If the song were a film, Evan envisions it as a thriller or horror movie, with Garance Marillier (Raw, 2016) playing the lead role. The track blends grand piano, symphonic strings, and hard-hitting guitar riffs to create a theatrical atmosphere that surprises listeners with its dynamic shifts.
However, the songwriting process wasn’t without its hurdles. “We had some struggles with a couple of different melody alternatives both for the verses and the chorus,” Evan recalled. “But sometimes the struggle pays off, and we feel it did this time.”
Evan also shared some of the creative choices made during the recording. “We experimented by removing guitars from the verses and adding a grand piano and strings instead, giving the song a more dramatic, almost cinematic vibe.”
The emotional core
The song’s powerful chorus is designed to leave a lasting impact on listeners. “I think the theatrical vibe overall will really resonate,” Evan added.
Fans can expect a darker music video, directed by their live session bassistErik, with a mysterious black-and-white concept and red elements.
The song’s cover is a striking photo by Péter Tepliczky during Symphony of Sweden’s sold-out Premier Show at Hudiksvalls Teater in August.
What’s next?
“You Fooled My Heart” will be part of the band’s upcoming album, expected to drop by mid-2025. With Lee now working full-time on music, the band is in a creative flow, with more exciting releases on the horizon.
Check out the official video by clicking here! Or stream on Spotify
Welcome to the musical world of Symphony Of Sweden!
Coming from the North of Sweden with winter and ice bears all over the place, the music is the other way around. Grand and epic with huge arrangements, the missing link between pop and metal – this is Symphony of Sweden! Add the powerful voice of Linus “Lee” Wester and the creative talent of Pontus “Evan” Hagberg you will have a concept that brings you on a journey from here to eternity.
Symphony Of Sweden is: Pontus „Evan” Hagberg Linus „Lee” Wester
Evan and Lee lived in the same small town up north in Sweden. Lee had his own little service point, betting shop, tobacco store nearby which also happened to be Evan’s local service point where he went to get his parcels. After saying hello to each other for a couple of years, there was one day Evan had a parcel to get – which obviously was music-related. They fell into conversation with each other, a few days later Evan invited Lee to his studio. Evan: „he had found one of my instrumental tracks on Youtube and sang it with a new melody on top and lyrics for me in the studio, right there when he just arrived! I was blown away, and a week later we had our first ever track produced and completed. As soon he sang his first two words in the studio I wanted to work with him!”
The band released their first album, Inner Demons in January 2021, and their second album, Saints Of Yesterday came out on the 3rd of February, 2022. The band’s latest material, Haunted was released on the 7th of February, 2024.
The Zac Schulze Gang are turning up the volume and speed dial with their fastest and loudest single yet, “Woman,” released on Friday 11th October via Flat Iron Records. The single is available to pre-save on all digital platforms via https://ffm.bio/zsg.
From today, watch the official “Woman” music video for the single, below.
Known for their old-school blend of 70s classic blues rock and modern alternative influences, the Kent-based blues rock trio explodes out of their cage with this unstoppable, relentless, and adrenaline-fuelled guitar-driven track.
“Woman” channels the raw ferocity of guitar legend Rory Gallagher and pub rock favourites Dr Feelgood, combining passionate, raucous guitar solos, catchy driven vocals, pounding drums, and a fiery but funky bass groove that encapsulates the band’s youthful energy and savvy attitude.
Take no prisoners as “Woman” showcases The Zac Schulze Gang at their fastest and most dangerous, whilst delivering a blues guitar-rock anthem for the hungry masses.
Following a successful July 2024 American tour supporting Samantha Fish, and a short run of UK dates supporting Eddie 9V, the release of the Zac Schulze Gang’s new single coincides with their special guest slot on Samantha’s October 2024 European and UK ‘Bulletproof’ tour.
The debut album penned for release in 2025, marks the first steps for the band’s relationship with producer Ian Sadler (Really BIG Audio). With the release of “Woman,” Sadler has captured the band’s raw-to-the-bone live energy whilst pushing them to their absolute limits, especially when it comes to Zac’s signature ripping guitar solos. Lightning in a bottle!
Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Zac Schulze and backed up by bassist Anthony Greenwell, and drummer Ben Schulze; the Zac Schulze Gang’s sound and work ethic harks back to the much loved live sound and hectic touring schedules of 70s blues rock acts including Rory Gallagher and Dr Feelgood but also injects elements of heritage classic rock acts like AC/DC and Thin Lizzy, all whilst keeping a firm grip on modern influences like Royal Blood and Queens of the Stone Age.
The band have already made lasting impressions at various festivals including Eric Clapton’s Crossroads 2023 in LA, Planet Rock’s Winter End 2023, Fairport’s Cropredy Festival 2024, and most importantly, Rory Gallagher’s Tribute Festival 2022 in Ballyshannon, Ireland, where the band first exploded onto the music scene. From playing small pub gigs in 2022, to headlining the main theatre and a main stage slot the following year, shows the old-school influence and experience the band has cultivated.
The Zac Schulze Gang won ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ at the UK Blues Awards 2024. Newly sold-out shows in Netherlands and Germany are proof of the gang’s rising popularity.
Norway is known for pioneering a legendary branch of extreme metal, but no band embodies the scene’s epic resolve quite like Keep of Kalessin.
This band has always possessed fantastic foresight. After all, they are named after one of Ursula K. Le Guin’s arch-dragons. Their original lineup did split after two albums of dark, fast and war-faring black metal, but over the past two decades, founding member Arnt Obsidian has brought Keep of Kalessin into the national spotlight. While he and his colossal crew have toured with the likes of Satyricon, Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir, they’ve carved their own legacy by forging a different path.
With seven albums and three EPs under their hilt, Keep of Kalessin brandish an epic arsenal of extreme metal. The band’s mastery at welding blackened melodies and scouring death metal riffs with magical keys and misty synthesizers has rewarded them handsomely. They’ve scored two Spellemannprisen nominations and scaled to the top of Norway’s album charts. To further test their mettle, they became the first Norwegian metal band to compete for a spot in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Today, Keep of Kalessin are cracking open the next chapter of their long and prosperous journey. The band have signed with Season of Mist, who will release their next two albums and reissue some of the defining moments from their extensive back catalogue.
“We are very proud and excited to announce that we have signed with Season of Mist“, Arnt Obsidian says on behalf of his bandmates Robin Isaksen and Wanja Gröger. “I have known Michael for more than 20 years. He has always been passionate about the music and very supportive of his signings. Back in 1999, Keep of Kalessin played three shows in Norway with Bloodthorn, who were signed to Season of Mist at the time. Michael traveled all the way up from France just to see them.
“Our paths have crossed many times since that tour. I’ve watched Michael build one of the strongest metal labels in the world. His staff shares in his extreme passion. What they’ve accomplished is an amazing feat.
“Keep of Kalessin has always been the underdog, the loner, the different kid. We’re a unique band and cannot be put into a certain category. It’s been difficult finding a home where our potential can be nurtured and harnessed to its full potential. But after talking with Michael and seeing how we fit with Season of Mist’s roster, I’m confident that we’ve now found a label that understands and can truly support us while we take the band to the next level. You can be sure that Keep of Kalessin will return with the best Epic Extreme Metal we’ve ever done in 2025!”
As one of the pioneers of Epic Extreme Metal, Norway’s Keep Of Kalessin have collected an impressive number of milestones.
Since forming in 1993, Keep of Kalessin have established a reputation for treasured releases. Their first two albums, Through Times of War (1997) and Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark (1999) paired the band’s sense for melody and virtuoso playing with the harshness traditionally expected from black metal.
After the band’s original lineup split up, founding member and guitarist Arnt Obsidian served as Satyricon’s live guitarist from 2002 until 2007. He played hundreds of shows with the Norwegian black metal legends, including headlining Wacken Open Air in 2004.
It was through this fortuitous partnership that Keep of Kalessin reunited. Obsidian was joined by Frost for the 2003 Reclaim EP, which also features Atilla Csihar from Mayhem. Like all good things, this lineup did come to an end, but the band was far from done.
In fact, Keep of Kalessin came back in a big way during the mid-2000s. Experimenting with piano, keyboards and synthesizers earned the band’s next two albums, Armada (2006) and Kolossus (2008), nominations in the metal category at the Norwegian Grammy Awards.
Then in 2010, Keep of Kalessin shocked the world by becoming the first metal band to compete for Norway’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “The Dragontower” finished third during the national final. That same year, the band released their fifth album Reptilian, which peaked at #2 on the Norwegian national charts.
After 30 years, Keep of Kalessin have built themselves into an enduring live force. They’ve toured with Satyricon, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Exodus and many other acclaimed acts. After five years of extensive touring, the band put out another impressive album in 2015’s Epistemology.
While Keep of Kalessin soon faced the challenge of replacing their longtime drummer Vyl Larsen, the Internet helped them find an excellent replacement. Wanja Gröger is a long-time fan of the band whose amazing drumming skills are recognized all across the globe thanks to his popular YouTube channel. After an initial tour in 2019, Gröger became a full-time member of the band ahead of their latest album.
Metalheads may have written Keep of Kalessin off after receiving no album from them in eight years, but 2023’s Katharsis was named Album of the Month in Norway’s prestigious Scream Magazine. The band premiered the whole album during a titanic mainstage performance on board 70,000 Tons of Metal.
This year, Keep of Kalessin signed with Season of Mist, who will release the band’s next album in 2025, along with reissues from their back catalogue.
Eight months after dropping their album Freak Dreams, SLOPE is back with a vengeance, unleashing their latest single, “Fury Funk”. From its explosive opening, “Fury Funk” hits hard, radiating high-octane energy that demands you let loose and go wild. Just in time for their upcoming European headliner tour, this track is destined to become a new fan favorite, setting the stage for what’s next in the SLOPE adventure. Stream “Fury Funk” HERE
SLOPE share about the song: “Fury Funk’ marks a turning point for SLOPE – raw energy, no limits, and living on our own terms. It’s the sound of evolution, pushing boundaries while staying true to our roots. The thrill of the grind, the rush of the road, and the freedom to be exactly where we want to be.”
SLOPE’s headline tour starts in London, UK, on October 3rd, 2024, and will take the band through 18 cities in October. The band will be joined by GROVE STREET, LIFE CRUSHER, WONDERFUL WORLD, and FORAGER. (please view the tour poster below for additional details on support acts). This tour, which already has some dates close to being sold out, will surely be as chaotic and fun as SLOPE are known for.
03.10.24 – London, UK – Victoria 04.10.24 – Eindhoven, NL – Dynamo 05.10.24 – Hanover, DE – Bei Chéz Heinz 06.10.24 – Prague, CZ – Rock Café 07.10.24 – Munich, DE – Backstage 08.10.24 – Vienna, AT – Chelsea 09.10.24 – Nuremberg, DE – Roter Salon 11.10.24 – Drachten, NL – Iduna 12.10.24 – Lübeck, DE – Treibsand 13.10.24 – Wiesbaden, DE – Kesselhaus 14.10.24 – Karlsruhe, DE – Stadtmitte 15.10.24 – Strasbourg, FR – La Maison Bleue 16.10.24 – Vauréal, FR – Le Forum Club 17.10.24 – Nantes, FR – Le Ferrailleur 18.10.24 – Pessac / Bordeaux, FR – Sortie 13 19.10.24 – Toulouse, FR – Le Rex 25.10.24 – Leipzig, DE – Naumanns 26.10.24 – Dortmund, DE – FZW Club
SLOPE ARE
SLOPE are a German based hardcore band drawing inspiration from the likes of Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine and early Red Hot Chili Peppers, SLOPE infuses their music with infectious energy, irresistible hooks, and thought-provoking lyrics.
Their lyrics delve into the personal struggles and unsatisfying situations that many face in today’s world, particularly the feeling of being deceived by the system. Their music serves as a powerful medium to address these issues, resonating with audiences who can relate to their messages.
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 ) 