Italy’s death-black metal force HIEROPHANT unleash their live album, “Gateway to the Abyss”, out on March 29th 2024 via Dusktone Records.
Today, No Clean Singing is hosting the official premiere of the album in the form of a professionally filmed live video of the Hellfest performance from which “Gateway to the Abyss” is based. Watch it HERE.
Recorded during their acclaimed concert at France’s Hellfest in 2023, “Gateway to the Abyss” offers a fresh take on the band’s latest album, “Death Siege” (Season Of Mist). To HIEROPHANT, Hellfest was a monumental occasion, where these musicians and an enormous production came together to forge a frantic and vigorous spectacle.
The songs remain the same, but captured in the urgency of a live environment, they appear even rawer and heavier than they were originally, and the maturation of the last couple of years spent on the road, following the conquest of several prestigious stages (MetalDays, Party.San and many others), makes them more savage.
“Gateway to the Abyss” is the most feral representation of what HIEROPHANT is about: hatred, blood, nihility. FIRE WILL RISE!
Pre-orders and the first single “Death Siege” are now available at THIS LOCATION.
Tracklist:
01. Mortem Aeternam (Intro) 02. Seeds of Vengeance 03. Devil Incarnate 04. In Chaos, In Death 05. Death Siege 06. Nemesis of thy Mortals
HIEROPHANT upcoming shows:
05.04 Dissonant Rites Fest 2024 (Austria) 26.04 The Tower Music Meeting 2024 (Italy) 27.04 Swr Barroselas Metalfest 24 (Portugal) 07.06 Black Metal Invasion Vol. XII (Austria) 22.06 Boarstream Open Air 2024 (Germany) 13.07 Eresia Metalfest 2024 (Italy) 29.09 Metal Gates Festival 2024 (Romania) 04.10 Scumm Pescara (Italy) 05.10 Rome Carnage Extreme Fest (Italy) 26.10 Turbina Budapest (Hungary)
Following on from their exhilarating European Tour with Orbit Culture, fast-rising UK metallers Defects have revealed the lyric video to their brand-new track, “Modern Error.” You can watch the video HERE.
The song is taken from their profoundly personal debut album, Modern Error, which will be released on 24 May via Mascot Records. Listen/Pre-Order HERE
“Our run with Orbit Culture has been amazing,” the band says. “They are like family now for sure. Great band and crew and it’s been super chilled. The shows on this run have been packed full of energy and raw intensity. It’s been overwhelming having people come up to us after buying merch and telling us that we are up there now with their favourite bands.”
The anthemic title track equally crushes and paints a poignant message as singer Tony Maue explains, “We started writing the single Modern Error back in 2019 and it came together quite quickly. I had written bits about the way the world was going and when I heard this track it fuelled me to carry on and see where it went. I think the song is a good word of warning to the people running the world and how it needs to change.”
The track follows on from recent single Lockdown, which captured the mental challenges of the pandemic. Maue explains, “The lyrics are probably some of my favourites on the album as it captures frustration towards a government and the rules we were made to follow.” This rolled into the room after the Arena bulldozing Broken Bloodlines which focuses on leaving behind negative forces in your life.
Modern Error is breathtakingly raw with emotion. Conceptually, it is a deeply cathartic album that acts as a vessel for singer Tony Maue to organise his thoughts on the trauma of being taken into care at a young age. Threaded through the album are the experiences that Maue has been through, how the five members of the band are all connected and why, at this moment, right now, is the right time for this band to exist. For themselves as much as anyone else.
There is a reason that the album has such personal themes. “I use songwriting as a tool to vent rather than be poetic,” explains Maue. He was taken into care from a young age, and that trauma and the experiences that followed are ones that he has battled with ever since. “The traumatic memories of going into care, losing my family when I was very young, and having to deal with that and adjusting myself to that kind of lifestyle, at the time was brutal. The only thing that helped me, and I’m not just saying this, was music.”
All five members have their stories – Tony Maue (Vocals), Luke Genders (Guitar), James Threadwell (Guitar), David Silver (Bass) and Harry Jennings (Drums). Jennings explains his entry, “I’d stopped enjoying playing music, which I had dedicated my life to since I was 7 years old,” he says. “It had all fallen apart. To feel like you’ve had a dream beaten out of you destroyed me as a person. It took me down a very dark path, and I did things I regret and am not proud of. I feel I’m in a position now where I can talk about it.”
Genders says, “Having the freedom to write freely in a band whilst trusting and respecting each other’s vision is something I hadn’t had in a very long time; dismissive people helped me to fuel my instrumental contributions to Modern Error. For the first time ever, I learned how to channel negativity into something positive.”
Modern Error hits with the heaviness and aggression of Lamb Of God and Machine Head, a Linkin Park-like sense of melody, and a touch of Bring Me The Horizon’s fearlessness. For all its heavy subject matter, it burns with vitality, power and passion. Woven within is their outlook on the world.
Defects smashed into 2024 on the back of a triumphant European tour with Of Mice & Men and the announcement that they will be playing this year’s Download festival. They’ve added these to their already impressive live cannon which includes shows with Bullet for My Valentine, Funeral for a Friend and In Flames as well as performing at festivals such as Bloodstock, 2000Trees and The Great Escape. They are continuing to steamroll through the year with festival slots at Download (UK), Graspop (BE), Rockharz (DE) and Rock The Lakes (CH).
“We’ve always been told to strive for perfection, but I don’t think anyone can be perfect,” Maue considers. “We are all defects in a way, but that makes us all unique.”
14-16 Jun – Download Festival – Derby, UK 20-23 Jun – Graspop Festival – Dessel, BELGIUM 03 – 06 Jul – Rockharz Festival – Ballenstedt, GERMANY 16 – 18 Aug – Rock the Lakes Festival – Vallamand, SWITZERLAND
FLOODFALL have released a new music video “Unbroken”, the title track of the album, which is set for re-release via Wormholedeath.
“Unbroken” describes the wandering we do over our lifetimes. It reflects the struggles we face along the way balanced by the determination to keep going, make adjustments, and avoid being overwhelmed. It’s a very personal reminder for us to remain unbroken despite the unexpected challenges we experience in our lives.
The video was shot in and around our home in Portland, Oregon, combining local scenery and a purpose-built video set and lighting rig.
Floodfall, formed in Montana, underwent lineup changes and now consists of David Hearst and Zane Hearst. They recorded their second album, “Unbroken”, in Portland and Gothenburg. Floodfall’s music is a blend of various styles, strongly emphasizing vocal harmony and song structure. They value musical, graphic, and video creativity, acknowledging Jakob’s contributions as a co-songwriter and producer, Gustavo Sazes’ artwork, and Ryan Erlandsen’s video work.
Floodfall is: David Hearst: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards Zane Hearst: Drums
“Tomorrow People” is a track taken from DISTORTA‘s upcoming EP “A Devil In The Dust”, due for release on April 26, 2024, via Wormholedeath. The track is an apocalyptic look into the future and the need for people to fight for freedom.
Distorta’s lineup includes James Bogers and Dom Davey on guitars, Dave Prodanovic on bass, Chris Hanrahan on drums, and Dmitry Keremetskiy commanding the stage with his presence and powerful vocals. Together, they have forged a release that is especially relevant in these troubling times. “A Devil In The Dust” was recorded entirely by the band, capturing their raw energy and passion in every note. Prepare yourselves for a sonic onslaught as Distorta storms the heavy metal scene with “A Devil In The Dust.”
HEAVY TEMPLE drop a respectfully tasty nod towards doom giants CANDLEMASS with their catchy new single ‘House of Warship’, which is taken from the psychedelic fast-risers’ forthcoming sophomore full-length. “Garden of Heathens” is slated for release on April 12 via Magnetic Eye Records. Pre-order your copy at: http://lnk.spkr.media/heavy-temple-garden.
“The Candlemass influence is pretty up front on this track, but we were also thinking Flower Traveling Band meets ‘Animal Magnetism’-era Scorpions“,singer and bass player High Priestess Nighthawk reveals. “The lyrics of ‘House of Warship’ deal with being lied to or being manipulated, while pouring oneself into something or someone – and the self-loathing that comes with the realization of falling for that intentional deception.“
Tracklist:
Extreme Indifference to Life
Hiraeth
Divine Indiscretion
House of Warship
Snake Oil (and Other Remedies)
In the Garden of Heathens
Jesus Wept
Psychomanteum
HEAVY TEMPLE are back. Back from touring across the United States as well as finding adventure and making new friends in Europe for the first time. Back from the rehearsal room where the making of new songs became far more of a group effort than on the debut album. And back from Animal Farm studio where John Forrestal gave the new album “Garden of Heathens” a rich and warm organic sound that is also crisp and crystalline.
Where the debut full-length “Lupi Amoris” charged forward like a roaring mastodon, “Garden of Heathens” comes across more diverse and sophisticated without losing punch or heaviness. And while the powerful vocals of frontwoman High Priestess Nighthawk provide a strong gravitational pull, HEAVY TEMPLE always remain a riff-first kind of band. Even so, the heavy-touring Philadelphia, PA trio have expanded their range to encompass an even wider breadth of rock and metal road stops, from BARONESS to THE BEATLES and BLACK SABBATH to FU MANCHU – with many crossroads in between.
Wherever HEAVY TEMPLE are heading on this diverse and dynamic record, they always stay real with both feet on the ground. Except, that is, when it comes to the lyrics. With her words, the High Priestess admits to peddling a version of things that isn’t real – with a grim smile and quite deliberately so. In fact, that’s the theme running through “Garden of Heathens” as a red thread. From the American Dream to relationships, below the surface there is anxiety, betrayal, and doubt. And while some of the lyrical metaphors might at first glance seem to focus on religion, they are definitely not that literal. Rather, these are Nighthawk’s most personal lyrics ever.
HEAVY TEMPLE came into existence on the 2012 winter solstice during a night filled with the pure enjoyment of creating and playing heavy music. Once established, they drew a steadily growing flock to local shows in Philly, and soon gladly accepted invitations to tour alongside such notables as RUBY THE HATCHET, MOTHERSHIP, ROYAL THUNDER, and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY as well as performances at notable festivals such as The Maryland Doom Fest, Psycho Las Vegas, and Decibel Metal & Beer, among many others.
Following the two EPs “Heavy Temple” (2014) and “Chassit” (2016) and a number of singles, HEAVY TEMPLE at last took a break from heavy touring to record their first full-length. “Lupi Amoris” (“Wolves of Love”) was released in 2021 to strong applause from both critics and followers alike. This album opened new doors including more festival appearances, a US tour with THE OBSESSED and their first tour of Europe with friends and labelmates HOWLING GIANT.
HEAVY TEMPLE are not just back, they are here to stay. “Garden of Heathens” gives strong testimony that the trio is pushing hard to broaden their spectrum and break through any preconceptions and obstacles in front of them. “Garden of Heathens” sheds new light and a wider perspective on heavy and desert rock, psychedelia, and doom metal. Check this out!
Recording line-up: High Priestess Nighthawk – vocals, bass Lord Paisley – guitar Baron Lycan – drums
Portuguese symphonic metal band Enchantya released their third studio album Cerberus earlier last year via Finnish record label Inverse Records. To celebrate the success they’re now releasing the whole album as Orchestral version. The release date for ‘Symphony of Cerberus’ album is set to be 26th April 2024.
The first single Rising Star (Orchestral version) is released today and the music video is available below.
Arranged for Orchestra by Pedro Antunes, Fernando Matias and Fernando Barroso
Choir performed by Ana Macedo, André Nogueira, Beatriz Teixeira, Cátia Marques, Chris Santos, Frederico Gavaia, Joana Sousa, João Reis, Luís Vieira, Pedro Antunes and Tanya Martins
Violin by Miguel Berkemeier
Additional vocals by Rute Fevereiro
Pedro Antunes comments: ” “Cerberus” was EnChanTya’s most symphonic and bombastic album to date. When people’s reactions to this direction of the band were so positive and gave us the honor of receiving the Album of the Year award by the most famous Metal Magazine in our country, Caminhos Metalicos, we decided to strip the songs down to its orchestral elements and give ourselves and our listeners a sister version of them, a more classical and symphonic approach to the world we explored in “Cerberus”. It is a celebration of the album’s success and also a more experimental vision like the band has always been happy to take.
We found that “Rising Star” should be the first gateway into this new project because of its cosmic and relaxing nature, standing in contrast to the heaviness of the original song, which represents the vision for this side-album so well.
We hope that you enjoy this take on “Rising Star”, and that it entices you to check out “Symphony of Cerberus” on April 26th!”
Symphony of Cerberus Track list:
Karma (Orchestral Version)
All Down in Flames (Orchestral Version)
Lunar Fire (Orchestral Version)
#Alone (Orchestral Version)
Prana (Orchestral Version)
Rising Star (Orchestral Version)
Existence (Orchestral Version)
United We Stand (Orchestral Version)
Anima (Orchestral Version)
Collective Souls (Orchestral Version)
Sons of Chaos (Orchestral Version)
Inward (Orchestral Version)
All songs composed by Enchantya Lyrics by Rute Fevereiro, except for Karma, Prana and Anima written by Pedro Antunes Cover Artwork by Pedro Daniel of Phobos Anomaly Design
CERBERUS was produced by Enchantya and Fernando Matias and mixed and mastered by Fernando Matias at The Pentagon Audio Manufacturers
Enchantya was born in 2004 when vocalist Rute Fevereiro took a break from her classic band Black Widows and started exploring music for a new project. In 2005, the band recorded their first EP, Moonlighting the Dreamer, out in 2006. Having witnessed a great reception, the band started to work on their first album, releasing ‘Dark Rising’ through Massacre Records in 2012 to very positive reviews. After some time touring and promoting the album,the band began composing. However, artistic and creative differences about the new music’s direction and sound would lead to the departure of members and the band split up.
Rute was alone with her project again and having to start all over. Fortunately, this did not stop Rute’s motivation and a few months later, by March of 2016, she had chosen a whole new team of talented musicians to take Enchantya through the next step. After a year of rehearsing with amazing creative chemistry, the band created “On Light and Wrath” , Enchantya’s second album. Like in their debut album, the band booked a few months of studio recordings in 2018 with Fernando Matias at the Pentagon Audio Manufacturers, to bring the new album to life with eleven tracks, entitled “On Light and Wrath” , also taking one step further by adding violin, a whole choir of singers and the guest appearance of the vocalist from D E S I R E , Nuno Caldas, creating a very refreshed and even more epic sound for the band. Finnish label Inverse Records released Enchantya’s album in 2019.
In the middle of their second album’s promo tour, the pandemic hit and the band spent the following two years composing and recording their new opus in the midst of all the chaos. The result was the band’s third album “CERBERUS”, a heavy and symphonic effort born of the songwriting through the world’s conflicted times, and also Enchantya’s most ambitious record to date. “Cerberus” was out on April 28th of 2023 to critical acclaim, considered Portugal’s best metal album of the year, and nominating Enchantya for the Adamastor Award for best portuguese bands of 2023, alongside Moonspell and Seventh Storm.
Celebrating the success of “Cerberus”, before all the awards the band was already preparing to announce “Symphony of Cerberus”, the orchestral version of their acclaimed album. Now, on April 26th 2024, marking a year after the release of “Cerberus”, Enchantya will release “Symphony of Cerberus”, consisting of the 12 original tracks revamped for orchestra and choir, allowing the symphonic parts of “Cerberus” to shine and be heard in all its glory, with a few surprises including solo violins arranged and performed by violinist and composer Miguel Berkemeier, who has been accompanying the band on live shows throughout this era’s tour.
Line-Up: Rute Fevereiro: Singing and Growls Fernando Campos: Lead Guitar Fernando Barroso: Bass Pedro Antunes: Piano, Keys and Orchestration Bruno Guilherme: Drums
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 ) 