ATHENA XIX present the third single from their new album “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity,” which will be released on October 25, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). ‘I Wish’ is a magnificent new hymn by the Italian cult progressive quintet, and features no less than vocalist Roy Khan (CONCEPTION, ex-KAMELOT) as counterpart to front-man Fabio Lione (ANGRA, ex-RHAPSODY OF FIRE, a.o.), creating a brilliant duet that many melodic/power/symphonic metal maniacs thought they would never hear.
“Finally me and Roy together on one song! I was really happy to know that he liked the song and wanted to be part of this new ATHENA XIX record, he was free to improvise and to record his parts the way he wanted to. I just sent him the song with my vocals and let him freely add and sing in the moments he preferred to and I have to say that the combination is amazing! Our two voices combine very well! I’m sure that fans will love it! It’s a really nice and cool song, with a great chorus in my opinion, one of the best tracks on this record and a perfect choice thinking about Roy’s voice and style,” jubilates singer Fabio Lione.
Pre-order “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” in your preferred physical format [digipak-CD or synchro green 2LP vinyl], pre-save it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or pre-order the album digitally to receive ‘I Wish [feat. Roy Khan],’ ‘Frames Of Humanity’ and ‘The Conscience Of Everything’ instantly, here: https://athenaxix.rpm.link/everflowpt1PR
Originating in 1991, ATHENA released their most successful album to date, “A New Religion?,” in 1998 – still recognised and appropriately rewarded as the best prog metal album of an Italian band ever. The original band members finally re-united in 2019 — after several line-up changes and a hiatus — writing the new album “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” which will be released on October 25, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). ATHENA XIX shake the stagnant contemporary power/prog metal scene to its foundations, pushing far beyond the boundaries of the genre.
Finnish hard rock band Rimbacher releases their debut album “High Hopes On The Rocks” on November 1st via Inverse Records. After several well received singles the band releases now the final single from the album.
Catchy AOR track “Pluto” is overflowing with emotional melodies and big guitar riffs. Melancholic vibe of the song suits the darkening autumn. The single is released with a music video.
The songwriter Reisca Morani bakcgrounds the song:
“The song is about a crush on a woman from an earlier generation and the fantasy of being get to live in the past with her. “Pluto” is a metaphor of that damsel and the title originates back in a one silly conversion with her.
The arrangement of ‘Pluto’ provided the song very cool atmosphere which reminds of that autumn when it was written. It has a different kind of vibe compared to the rest of our hard rocking songs but lands nicely in our setlist making it one of the highlights of our show and the upcoming album.”
Red Giant are pleased to announce “Why?” the second single taken from their highly anticipated eponymous debut album. The single is released Friday September 20th and is available on all streaming platforms HERE.
Watch the official “Why?” music video on YouTube HERE.
Red Giant is the offshoot of YouTube presenter and guitar prodigy, Dave Simpson (he’s amassed over 136,000 YouTube followers due to his guitar tutorials and gear demos).
“Why?” is, in Dave’s opinion his most meaningful song to date. Its Dave’s painful journey through childhood trauma brought about by a failing education system that treats the victims of bullying as being solely responsible for their own suffering.
“Why?” is an uncompromisingly candid and brutally honest song with the verses communicating the feelings of abject despair and dejection that resolve into the songs powerful and heart-breaking chorus – a desperate cry for help and a plea for the torment to stop and to be left alone.
Dave hopes many people who have had similar experiences may find comfort in this song and realize that they are not alone, and it wasn’t their fault.
“Red Giant” Album Track Listing
1. Friends (4:00) 2. Tell Me (4:11) 3. Why? (3:54) 4. Monsters (2:42) 5. Was It All My Fault? (4:00) 6. Don’t (2:00) 7. Free Me (3:35) 8. The Dark Of Me (3:10) 9. What You Gonna Do? (6:00) 10. You Say, I Say (3:35)
The Band
Dave Simpson – Guitar, Lead Vocals John Joe Gaskin – Drums, Percussion Carina Powell – Bass, Vocals
Friends This is a song that I wrote a few years back and never found a home. I’m now so happy to say that it finally has become what I feel it was always supposed to be. It’s just a great driving rock song. Heavily inspired by Thin Lizzy the songs subject is exactly what you’d expect it to be about. Friends.
Tell Me Tell Me is a song that means a lot to me as it’s all about someone who has handed a raw deal and has no idea why. We’ve all been there, and this song is a product of those situations. It features a stunning bass guitar solo from Miss Carina Powell and has a great dynamic. I love the way it builds, falls, and builds again. It really keeps you on your toes.
Why? This is without doubt the song that means the most to me off this album and the one I’m most proud of. It’s all about being bullied and not knowing why they picked you. The lyrics take you through the mind of the suffering protagonist and let you know the hopeless feeling they are going through. I really hope this song can reach people who have suffered and are suffering and let them know that they’re not alone. I hope they can find comfort in this song.
Monsters Monsters was a song I wrote in the 2020 lockdowns. I felt like we were not being told the whole truth and felt like everything wasn’t as it appeared. As things came out about the UK governments antics behind the curtains this song took on a more powerful meaning and I will be forever proud of the lyrics and this songs sentiment.
Was It All My Fault? This song is all about the end of a relationship when your no longer sure why it ended and start questioning yourself. It’s a beautifully powerful ballad that has a true meaning to me. I love its vulnerability.
Don’t Love this song. Punchy, quick and to the point. I’m a firm believer in the fact that a sing doesn’t have to be long and complicated to get the point across. Don’t is a notable example of this. Heavily inspired by John Frusciante and Jimi Hendrix, the song takes you on a ride that makes you want to go again and again. It features a stunning drum break by Mr John Joe Gaskin who absolutely kills it.
Free Me This song is yet another one I am deeply proud of. It rises and falls and again gives you an insight into the suffering mind of someone who deals with mental health issues. The lyrics say it all – “Come free me from myself.” It’s an absolute cry for help in every sense of the word.
The Dark Of Me We all have a dark side. This is one I managed to write down. The idea of being trapped and lost in your own mind is terrifying and this songs grungy and dark atmosphere really help convey that emotion. It takes you from I can’t do this to yes, I can and back again. Being a long time suffer of mental health issues this song means a lot.
What You Gonna Do? My love for the British Blues scene of the sixties is very apparent in this six-minute homage to one of my heroes Mr Peter Green. I played an incredibly special guitar on this song. It belonged to another hero of mine that is sadly no longer with us. He was also my friend and I miss him. I channelled all that emotion into this song. The subject matter is quite different though. That’s all about asking someone who is abusing the people around them. “What you gonna do when there’s no one left?”
You Say, I Say Easily the heaviest song on the album and for the subject matter its perfect. The three verses of this song talk through the three stages of a relationship that’s always doomed to fail. You get the honeymoon period at the beginning. The middle is starting to show cracks and the last verse shows complete failure and ends with the separation of the two characters. One of whom wanted this the other who did not.
Red Giant – Biography
Lead songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, David Simpson first picked up the guitar at 16 years old. Since that time David has been a prominent performer in several bands over the years and co-founded Red Giant at the beginning of 2024.
David decided after years of playing in other bands it was time to follow his own musical style. The music he was writing did not fit the bands he was playing with and he soon setup his own group The Dave Simpson Trio.
The trio performed all over the UK for years and was a very established blues rock band, but in 2024 the band wanted a change. Not just in name but in style, opting for a heavier rockier approach to go along with the new songs David was writing.
Red Giant was born. Not long after the name change the band went into the studio to record their self-titled debut album.
David is a world-renowned YouTube presenter with a channel that has amassed over 135,000 subscribers due to his unique playing style and expertise on the instrument.
David has been incredibly open about his struggles with mental health and his blunt openness has helped countless others deal with their personal traumas. David’s work ethic is outstanding, tirelessly working on songs and videos while also performing and collaborating with other musicians.
John Joe Gaskin, the drummer for Red Giant, also started playing drums at the age of sixteen. As soon as he found the drums he wanted to do nothing else. He’s dedicated his life to the instrument.
John Joe is an absolute powerhouse of a drummer with a supernatural sense of time and is the bedrock of the band. Widely known as a dynamic and versatile performer, playing nationwide in the UK and Europe John Joe is comfortable with any style of music.
John Joe not only performs his duties as the drummer of Red Giant but is also the joker of the band with his wicked sense of humour he keeps everyone laughing.
The bassist on the album is Carina Powell who despite her compact stature of only 4’11 is an absolute powerhouse on stage and in the studio. Using her bass both as a lead and supporting instrument. Her hard hitting and percussive style are evident all over this album and it blends seamlessly with David’s guitars and John Joe’s drums.
October 26, 2024 will see Portuguese dark metal pioneers MOONSPELL play their first-ever symphonic show, entitled Opus Diabolicum, at the MEO Arena, Lisbon, Portugal’s capitol city.
Where the power of the Moonspell metal meets the magnitude of the classic by the Lisbon Sinfonietta Orchestra, one of Portugal finest orchestras, with 45 musicians on stage, conducted by maestro Vasco Pearce de Azevedo, will be streamed worldwide! Virtual tickets and bundles with the band’s merchandise are now available viahttps://moonspellshop.com
MOONSPELL have just returned from their succesful Summer Satanæ festival tour that took the band to countries such as Lithuania, Germany, Poland, Finland, Czech Republic, Romania, and their home country of Portugal, presenting a trip through the group’s oldest repertoire; a legacy highly celebrated by the thousands of fans who attended the concerts.
While the first balcony at their upcoming symphonic show is already sold out and only 100 tickets remaining for the Golden Circle, now, you can also enjoy it at the comfort of your own home! Furthermore, the show will be recorded for a future release on DVD/Blu-ray and live album via Napalm Records.
Check out this short film that sums up MOONSPELL‘s incredible summer all over Europe and don’t forget to secure your virtual seat at Meo Arena on October 26th, where the band will make history, adding a magnificent chapter not only to the band’s own biography, but as well as to the metal music made in Portugal!
MOONSPELL Live 2024:
27/9 TEATRO CINEMA, FAFE, PT (Soombra/acoustic) 26/10 MEO ARENA, LISBON, PT (with Sinfonietta de Lisboa Orchestra)
On Tour with DARK TRANQUILITY:
31/10 ASTRA, BERLIN, GER 1/11 MEETFACTORY, PRAGUE, CZ 2/11 HELLRAISER, LEIPZIG, GER (SOLD OUT) 3/11 KÖLN, GER (SOLD OUT) 5/11 02 ACADEMY ISLINGTON, LONDON, UK 6/11 EFFENAR, EINDHOVEN, NL 7/11 BACKSTAGE, MUNICH, GER 8/11 KOFMEHL, SOLOTHURN, CH 9/11 HELL’S BALLS KORTRIJK, BE (Festival) 10/11 LE BATACLAN, PARIS, FRA (Venue Upgrade) 11/11 LE BIKINI, TOULOUSE, FRA 13/11 SALAMANDRA,BARCELONA, ES 14/11 TOTEM, PAMPLONA, ES 15/11 SHOKO, MADRID, ES 16/11 ESCENARIO, SANTANDER, ES 18/11 LA RAYONNE, LYON, FRA 19/11 CLUB VAUDEVILLE, LINDAU, GER 20/11 BARBA NEGRA, BUDAPEST, HUN 21/11 ARENA, VIENNA, AT 22/11 SUBSTAGE, KARLSRUHE, GER (SOLD OUT) 24/11 PUMPEHUSET, COPENHAGEN, DK 25/11 METAL HAMMER PARADISE, WEISSENHÄUSER STRAND, GER (Festival) 26/11 VULKAN ARENA, OSLO, NOR 28/11 FRYHUSER KLUBBEN, STOCKHOLM, SWE 29/11 CLUB 700, ÖREBRO, SWE 30/11 FILSTUDION, GOTHENBURG, SWE
Over the past two years, UK alternative metal act NEONFLY has made an extraordinary return to the live music scene, continuing to ascend to new heights after the privations of the pandemic. From supporting renowned bands such as Epica and Escape The Fate to headlining their first tour in Mexico and performing on festival main stages across Europe, the band has cemented its place in the international metal scene. Their journey culminated in a massive, unforgettable performance at Ripollet Rock Festival in Spain, August 2024, where NEONFLY performed to a crowd of nearly 10,000 fans in a prime-time slot.
This monumental show was a chance for the band to unleash their full live potential, and they spared no expense in making it one of their most remarkable performances yet. With the largest stage production in the band’s history, including Frederick Thunder’s signature fire-breathing act, two fire performers, and an incredible light display, the UK metal outfit delivered an electrifying experience.
Celebrating their moment in the spotlight, NEONFLY has unveiled a brand new music video for their acclaimed single ‘The Future, Tonight’. The video, with a song that also features a guest appearance by Björn Strid of Soilwork on the studio version, stands as a testament to the band’s relentless touring and dedication over the past two years, highlighting NEONFLY‘s unparalleled energy and the powerful connection they have with their fans.
“We’ve always said that Neonfly is a band that NEVER takes an audience for granted, and our performance at Ripollet Rock proves that once again“, guitarist Frederick Thunder states. “Despite having a prime slot and a massive audience, we didn’t just turn up and play – we meticulously planned this show for months, determined to deliver an experience beyond expectations. We made a personal investment to capture the entire show, both audio and video, with a team of cameras and a drone. What you’ll see is the result of our commitment to our craft and our fans – always striving to deliver the best possible performance.“
“The Future, Tonight” is the title track of the band’s latest studio album, released in 2021 via Noble Demon, available here: https://snd.click/neonfly
Looking ahead, NEONFLY has big plans. The entire audio and video from Ripollet Rock has been recorded for a potential live CD/DVD release in 2025. In the meantime, the band will take a short break from touring to focus on writing and releasing new material in the coming year.
NEONFLY are: Willy Norton – Vocals Frederick Thunder – Guitars Paul Miller – Bass Declan Brown – Drums
Melodic metal rising stars THE LUCIDIA PROJECT proudly present the lyric video for their latest track “Requiem.” This evocative song is featured on their critically acclaimed EP of the same name, released under the Wormholedeath label.
Delving deep into the tumultuous waters of human connection, ‘Requiem’ by The Lucidia Project explores the intricacies of a profoundly toxic friendship or relationship that Chase grappled with. Laden with emotional depth, this track almost transcends into a realm of spirituality, as it chronicles the necessity of relying on a higher power to navigate through such challenging circumstances.
The Lucidia Project’s signature blend of haunting melodies, powerful riffs, and poignant lyrics are on full display in “Requiem,” making it a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike.
Founded 2022 in Fargo, ND, The Lucidia Project blends alternative metal with symphonic, doom, and progressive rock. Their debut demo featured songs like “In the Fray” and “Lights Out.” In 2023, their “Requiem EP” further developed their sound, gaining press attention and radio play.
Adding Chris Polasky and Daniel Williams in 2023, they released “Soul Killer,” showing an evolved sound. In 2024, they re-released the EP and single under Wormholedeath Records and welcomed drummer Bruce Reisenauer. Both releases were co-produced and mastered by Danny Meyer at Sunway Studios in Germany.
The Lucidia Project’s lineup is currently comprised of Chase Baldwin (vocals/pianos/arrangements) Benjamin Jacobs (bass/guitars) Daniel Williams (guitars) Chris (David) Polasky (guitars) Bruce Reisenauer (drums)
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 