Scarlet Aura is set to enchant the music scene once again with their latest single “Tu,” from the forthcoming album, “Rock-Stravaganza.” Set to be released on April 12th, “Tu,” a tune originally presented by Mihai and Aura with Steelborn in 2012, emerges anew, now under the Scarlet Aura brand, promising a fresh adventure into the realms of alternative rock and metal. The track weaves a narrative of passion and loss, a poignant reminder of love’s restorative and devastating power.
As Aura puts it, “This song captures the thin line between soaring highs and crashing lows – all within a single heartbeat.”
“Rock-Stravaganza,” featuring 15 tracks, is a tribute not only to life’s rich tapestry but also to the artistic growth of Scarlet Aura. Scheduled for June 28, it will reintroduce well-loved melodies from the musical journey of Mihai and Aura, reimagined for today’s listener. Long-time fans and newcomers alike will find joy in this fresh yet familiar collection. And as music is a river that cannot be stopped, Scarlet Aura is gearing up for summer festival appearances and a nationwide tour celebrating this new chapter.
Join us in embracing the unique visual world of “Tu,” a song that invites you to reconnect with the depths of your soul.
About Scarlet Aura: Recognized as the best Romanian heavy metal band with a female voice by genre listeners, Scarlet Aura has a career filled with successful releases and concerts that have captivated audiences worldwide. Scarlet Aura continues to be at the forefront of the music scene, pushing the boundaries of creativity and artistic expression.
For more information: Visit www.scarletaura.com and follow the band on social media platforms to stay up to date with the latest events and releases.
SCARLET AURA are:
Lead Vocals: Aura Danciulescu Lead guitar & Vocals: Mihai Danciulescu Bass guitar & Vocals: Rene Nistor Drums: Matthias Klaus Keyboards: Dan Lica
Poly-instrumentalist Simone Carnaghi‘s brand new album It Will Last, “Mankind,” will be released on May 6th. Available on all worldwide music platforms, on Wanikiya Record’s Japanese shop and on their showcase on Crash Sound Distribution!
After the arrival of the single “Violence Is Not The Key” that announced the new album in a big way, here we are with the release date of the complete new, work of the Italian artist! Ready to return to the magical world It Will Last?!
“Mankind” is the third and newest album by musician/teacher multi-instrumentalist and composer Simone Carnaghi and, specifically, is the second album in the discography of his It Will Last project.
As has been the case with Simone’s previous albums, “Mankind,” the successor to “Nightmares in daylight” produced by Simone himself and released in 2021 on the “Wanikiya Record” label, is the exclusive fruit of a single mind, his own. This is the main peculiarity of the album.
In fact, Simone took care of the whole album as a true “one man band”:
composition and arrangement of all tracks (music and lyrics).
performance and recording of all instruments for all tracks on the album (electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums).
In addition to this, the novelty for this album is that in addition to everything else, he also dedicated himself to all the lead vocals.
Being a very personal album, Simone was driven by a strong desire to sing all his own lyrics totally immersing himself in his “It Will Last” project and thus consolidating the idea of “one man band.”
entire album production, recording, mixing, mastering at his private recording studio with rehearsal room/classroom in Rescaldina (Mi).
Uniquely for the backing vocals, as Simone is very passionate about this element within music, in addition to his backing vocals, three other people participated (in order to have different vocal timbres available), including, his wife Maria (as for the previous album), Daniel Reda (former lead singer on “nightmares in daylight”) and finally, another close friend of his, singer Simone Delcuratolo.
“Mankind” is the result of a lot of passion for music and specifically, heavy metal and hard-rock with progressive influences. So many are Simone’s musical influences, starting with his beloved Iron Maiden from the golden eighties period, Savatage, Judas Priest, Stryper, Dokken, Rush and many more.
Nowadays, after all these years, inventing something new in music has become quite difficult, almost everything has already been tried out. “Mankind” represents for Simone, the research and selection of elements present in heavy metal/hard rock music, and not only, so dear and appreciated to him. These various elements have been revisited with his musical idea, trying to give a touch of personality to the songs and, above all, trying to avoid following any kind of “trend/fashion.”
“Mankind” is about human beings’ selfishness, in all its forms, toward others and the world in which we live. This leads to sad consequences that tend to get worse and worse with each passing year. It would take very little, even the smallest gestures could really improve so many things. Simone’s message in her songs is strong; it is an album full of emotions. Despite everything, the theme of hope is still always present.
Simone Carnaghi is a multi-instrumentalist musician (bass/guitar/drums), composer/arranger, as well as a teacher of bass, drums, guitar and ensemble music with many years of teaching experience (since as far back as 2006).
His great passion for composition began very early and after the first several demos in the early 2000s, in 2011, his first multi-instrumentalist album entitled “Slender Hopes” was released. This project was quite different from Simone’s current compositions for her “It Will Last” albums, however it was a great source of inspiration and the beginning of an ambitious path from a musical point of view, wanting to take care of all compositions, instrument recordings and more from the very beginning in total autonomy.
“It Will Last” project comes to life in late 2018 “Nightmares in Daylight” (2021) was the first cd-album “It Will Last” . The entire album was written, played (all instruments), recorded, mixed and mastered by Simone in his private studio in Rescaldina (Mi).
“Nightmares in Daylight” is a concept album about aspects that are slowly “consuming” the world we live in. A few years later here is the new concept album “Mankind” the continuation and especially the evolution of the previous “Nightmares in daylight,” especially in the music. It is in fact a rather articulated album, never predictable, rather unpredictable in the structure and arrangement of the various tracks. It is an album that requires several listens, being full of details. Good headphone listening is also recommended to take full advantage of the stereophonic effect of this album.
At the moment, the project” It Will Last” does not plan to be taken to the stage, but… the rest of the story is yet to be written….
In celebration of their 40th Anniversary (1984-2024), legendary British AOR rock band FM are proud to release “Don’t Need Another Heartache”, the second single take from their forthcoming fourteenth studio album Old Habits Die Hard on Thursday April 11th.
Watch the official lyric video for “Don’t Need Another Heartache” below.
Released by Frontiers Records on Friday May 3rd, the new album s available to pre-order HERE.
“Heartache draws influences from the bands love for bands like free and Bad Company,” says FM’s lead singer Steve Overland. “It’s a straight-to-the-point, classic blues rock track.” ‘This song will probably be in the live set for the 40th anniversary tour as it’s one of our favourites from the album,” explains drummer and founder FM member, Pete Jupp.
Released to coincide with the band’s 40th Anniversary (1984 – 2024), vocalist, guitarist and founding member Steve Overland says, “the new album encompasses the best melodic elements of the band’s illustrious 40-year spanning career.”
“We really looked at what made the most popular FM albums great and tried to focus on that,” says Steve about the new album Old Habits Die Hard.
FM are known by many for their big choruses, twin lead guitars and Steve Overland’s intimate, yet powerful vocals, and clean guitar sound.
Following 2022’s Thirteen album, Old Habits Die Hard was delayed slightly by keyboard player Jem Davis’ cancer diagnosis (thankfully he’s now received the all-clear) and then by the sudden passing of FM’s founding guitarist Chris Overland (Steve’s brother), which hit the band hard.
Over the past 12 months, during their extensive touring schedule, FM produced the album themselves and recorded the bulk of it at their own Dale View and Electric Pepperland recording studios.
Opening track and first single “Out of The Blue” was a song that originated from keyboard player Jem Davis. Says Jem, “the band love the music of Toto and Foreigner and so I tried to put those influences into one track. ‘Once Steve got involved and started singing it, I knew that we were onto something special.”
“Out Of the Blue is a song that old school FM fans will really latch on to,” says Steve. “So far, the reaction to the track has been amazing.”
“Whatever It Takes” and “No Easy Way Out” are typical FM melodic tracks and could fit seamlessly on to one of the bands earlier classic albums. Bass player and founder member Merv Goldsworthy explains, “No Easy way Out has the big typical FM chorus. It’s a massive hook. The kind of thing that we’ve become known for. It’s one of my favourites on the album.”
The heavier side of the album is represented by “Lost,” “Another Day in My World,” and “Leap of Faith.” Whilst more hard hitting, these songs embody the catchy melodic choruses that FM are known for.
“Cut Me Loose,” “California,” and “Blue Sky Mind” are poppier, more feelgood tracks. “Blue Sky Mind” was conceived again by keyboard player Jem Davis who originally wrote the song about his experience with his cancer diagnosis. ‘That song really was therapy for me. It was important that I got it out of my system and into music,” says Jem.
“Black Water” is a brooding, bluesy track that grows and grows. ‘This is a real favourite of mine,” says FM guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick. “I could hear Brian May playing the guitar solo, so I pulled out my Brian May signature guitar and tried to do my best impersonation of him. Hopefully I got somewhere close.”
Track Listing
1. Out of the Blue (4.21) 2. Don’t Need Another Heartache (4.35) 3. No Easy Way Out (3.54) 4. Lost (5.20) 5. Whatever It Takes (4.37) 6. Black Water (4.52) 7. Cut Me Loose (4.34) 8. Leap of Faith (4.05) 9. California (5.17) 10. Another Day in My World (4.14) 11. Blue Sky Mind (5.06)
Production Credits
Old Habits Die Hard Produced by FM Mixed by Jeff Knowler Mastered by Jim Griffiths at Principal Audio Photography by Paul Stuart Hollingsworth
Recorded at West3 Productions, Tremelo, Electric Pepperland, Morsecode Studios, JK Studios. All songs written by – Overland/Goldsworthy/Jupp/Davis/Kirkpatrick
Track by Track Out of the Blue – “I wrote this song in Lanzarote, says FM’s keyboardist, Jem Davis. “It’s about a guy who is completely happy in his own little world, and suddenly his partner declares she’s not, and is calling it a day! This comes to him out of the blue, but he’s not going to give in and lose her without a fight.”
Don’t Need Another Heartache – “This is one of the bluesier tracks on the album, kind of early Foreigner/Bad Company vibe,” says Steve Overland. “It’s about a guy that’s been in a bad relationship for too long, but he’s finally had enough.”
No Easy Way Out – “This was one of the first songs written for the album,” says Steve. “It’s about a guy that’s been down on his luck and knows it won’t be easy but is determined to pick himself up.” Lost – This is a real AOR groove rocker,” says Steve. “It’s about someone who had it all, lost it, and wants it all again.”
Whatever It Takes – “This is the ballad of the album, really,” says Steve. “It’s a song about a guy who worships a girl from a distance but doesn’t have the words to tell her… a familiar story.”
Black Water – “This initially had the working title of Havana, says Jem. “It turned out to be about a someone from Deep South, USA. No matter how far he travelled, the strong pull of home was always going to draw him back.”
Cut Me Loose – “This song is about a relationship that’s faded,” reflects Steve. “It’s time to move on, but how hard that can be if you’ve been together for a long time?”
Leap Of Faith – “This one is the opposite to Cut Me Loose,” explains Steve. “it’s a great riff to open the track. The story tells how if you lose the spark, and you both want to, you can get it back if you both want it.”
California – Musically, I was looking for an old school Indiscreet vibe in the style of Other Side Of Midnight or American Girls,” says Merv. “As a kid I’d watch the Beverly Hillbillies and 77 Sunset Strip. It all seemed so different to where I grew up in the North of England. Sun, beaches, surfing, great weather and, of course, all the great movie studios. I wasn’t even sure it was real or make believe.
Another Day in My World – “This tells the story of a guy who has always gone unnoticed and has spent his life in the shadows,” explains Steve. “Suddenly, he wants to change that and make his mark in life.” Blue Sky Mind – “No one knows how they will react when being diagnosed with cancer, “Says Jem. “When I was diagnosed January 2023, I found my way of dealing with it was just to stay positive. Nothing you can do. I received the all-clear in September. It’s about staying positive and leaving the neg behind. I like this being the last track. It’s a positive message to everyone dealing with cancer!”
FM “OLD HABITS DIE HARD” 40TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR 2024
FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS BRAVE RIVAL*, COLLATERAL**, ROMEO’S DAUGHTER***, & HAND OF DIMES****
After a seemingly six-year break after their last studio album, the Danish death metal unit CROCELL is about to release a new album. “Search of Solace”, the opening track on Crocell’s seventh effort, has the honour of setting the mood. The song covers a lot of ground with irresistible headbanger riffs, blast beats, mesmerizing guitar harmonies in one of the album’s most melodic passages, and even an organ shows up here and there. This is good stuff!
Join the premiering below.
In 2024, the stakes are high for Crocell. But, armed with a Tue Madsen-produced new album, the Danish men plot to expand further their evil influence and rotten everything at their passage. “Of Frost, Of Flame, Of Flesh” is the title of the release and, together with the fact that the band has recently signed to EMZ, it has the potential of being Crocell’s big international breakthrough, after being on small underground labels previously.
The result are eight tracks of pure death metal frenzy, with all the extras you could want, thrash and black metal hints included, and the usual Crocell trademark: a solid, intense sound, and a dark and violent atmosphere.
It was five experienced gentlemen from the Aarhus metal scene who formed Crocell in early 2007, and the pace was high from the start. Thus, the debut album, “The God We Drowned,” was recorded the same year, and almost simultaneously with its release in 2008, Crocell was named “metal talent of the year” at the Danish Metal Awards.
It was the beginning of a respectful underground career for the Danish collective, featuring members that are and were active in other bands such as Illdisposed, Urkraft, The Petulant, Mordax and Demolition Inc., among many others. The following years were spent playing sweat-soaked gigs, travelling the Danish roads and abroad and releasing five full-length albums and two EPs.
Danish metal has seen one band after another flare up and die out, but after 17 years, Crocell continues undeterred, having long established itself as an indispensable player in the Danish metal scene with almost seven releases under its belt and over 100 concerts in over ten countries.
“Of Frost, Of Flame, Of Flesh” will be released on Gatefold LP (black vinyl, limited to 300 copies), 8-panel digipack CD and digital formats on June 28th, 2024 via Emanzipation Productions.
Lineup: Asbjørn Steffensen – vocals Tommy Christensen – guitar Mads B. H. Gath – guitar Uffe Laustsen-Jensen – bass Andreas Posselt – drums
“Nothing Grows From Hallowed Ground” is the opening track of ALTAR OF OBLIVION’s fourth full-length, to be released later this year. A concept album based on the diary of guitarist Martin Meyer Sparvath’s maternal great-grandfather Jesper Wilhem Meyer, who reluctantly fought for the German Empire during The Great War (1914-1918). The album will pay homage to Jesper Wilhelm Meyer (1891-1964) plus the approximately 26.000 Danes, who fought for Germany and of which 4.000 perished on the different frontlines during the bloody conflict.
With Jesper’s colourful narration and picturesque description of the combat scenes, everyday life (and death) in the trenches, off-duty activities as well as his stays at a field hospital, the album begins with his baptism of fire in March of 1915 and culminates with an epic battle in June of 2015 lasting several days, in which he narrowly escapes death on more occasions.
“Hallowed Ground” in this context refers to No Man’s Land, which in this case is the area of land between two enemy trench systems, from which literally nothing grows. This muddy, narrow and often treeless stretch of land, characterized by various shell holes, became the final resting place for many fallen soldiers.
Join the premiering below.
In late 2022, Altar Of Oblivion signed a deal with From the Vaults and released last year’s “Burning Memories”-EP serving as an appetizer for their upcoming fourth full-length. But NOTHING could foresee what was to come. “In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay”, the new album from the Danish epic doomsters, is a concept work based on the diary of guitarist Martin Meyer Sparvath’s maternal great-grandfather Jesper Wilhem Meyer, who reluctantly fought for the German Empire during The Great War (1914-1918).
Preparations for this aural endeavour began in 2005, when the band tracked a demo version of what years later would morph into the now completed album, which was originally supposed to be the debut full-length of the early duo incarnation of the band. This album contains some of the band’s first ever creations, and in many ways, it can be regarded as some sort of Altar Of Oblivion-prototype, bringing forth and spewing out their darkest and most traditional epic doom-work to date.
During and since the pandemic, Altar Of Oblivion have been in recording mode, finishing both new and old stuff, including two full-lengths, two EPs and an acoustic album, enabling the band to take a well-deserved studio-break in order to focus on live shows from now on. A number of gigs have been confirmed for 2024, and the collective is now looking forward to hitting the stage again, heavier, older and more invigorated than ever. Time will tell if playing live is the right cure for a severe case of discoloured studio tan.
The origins of Altar of Oblivion can be traced back to 2003, when Martin Meyer Sparvath (guitars/vocals) and Allan Larsen (drums) formed a duo called Summoning Sickness. Three years later, this doubtful project was transformed into a four-piece named Altar Of Oblivion, and the entity went from playing simple black/speed/heavy-metal to epic doom metal. The band has so far, apart from a number of demos, EPs and a live album, three full-lengths under its belt.
“In The Cesspit Of Divine Decay” will be released on LP (black vinyl) and digital formats on June 28th, 2024 via From The Vaults.
Lineup: Mik Mentor – vocals Martin Meyer Sparvath – guitars & guitar-synth Jeppe Campradt – guitars C. Nørgaard – bass Danny Woe – drums Jannick Nielsen – keyboards
Prepare to be catapulted into the future-past as Powerman 5000, the veteran industrial metal monsters, unleash their latest sonic onslaught with their new single “1999.” This electrifying track serves as the harbinger for their forthcoming studio album, Abandon Ship, set to drop on May 10, 2024 and available for pre-order now!
With “1999,” Powerman 5000 invites listeners on a thrilling journey to the glory days of apocalyptic paranoia, melding irresistible nostalgia with doomsday fatalism to create an end of the world dance club hit fueled by high-octane industrial metal. Frontman Spider One’s diabolically creative mind takes center stage, delivering a sonic landscape that feels both familiar and audacious. This single promises to be a revelation for fans both old and new, already evidenced by the fact that the band has added it to their live set with extremely positive results!
And the excitement doesn’t end there! Alongside “1999,” Powerman 5000’s upcoming album, Abandon Ship, boasts 9 additional all-new original tracks produced by Matt McJunkins of A Perfect Circle and Eagles Of Death Metal fame. The album’s CD edition includes a bonus track — a revamped version of Powerman 5000’s explosive 2001 hit, “Bombshell.” This reimagined rendition is poised to reignite the fervor of fans worldwide, serving as a fitting addition to an already stellar lineup of tracks.
In addition to the album release, Powerman 5000 are gearing up for a full-on live concert assault in 2024. With performances scheduled throughout March and festival appearances at Sick New World, Rockville, Louder Than Life, and more, fans can expect an adrenaline-fueled experience like no other.
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 