Toronto-based deathcore quintet BRAND OF SACRIFICE have announced four exclusive headline shows in Germany and Netherlands, to spread the word of their unholy symphonies and brutal breakdowns.
Since 2018, BRAND OF SACRIFICE have been making an undeniably indelible mark on the heavy music scene. Dubbed ‘The Branded Ones,’ the group’s fans joined and marched with them as they tore across the globe in support of their sophomore album Lifeblood, which debuted on 8 separate Billboard charts and earned them a Juno nomination for Metal Album of the Year. Other highlights included slots on highly anticipated tours with artists like SPIRITBOX, THY ART IS MURDER, WE CAME AS ROMANS & more.
In December of 2023 BRAND OF SACRIFICE announced signing to world renowned label, Nuclear Blast Records. Having previously seen huge growth via their partnership with sister company, Blood Blast Distribution, signing with Nuclear Blast was the natural progression for the band. BRAND OF SACRIFICE ushered in their exciting new era with the release of single ‘Purge’, another giant leap in their continued sonic evolution.
Across their releases to date, BRAND OF SACRIFICE have hit 60 million streams and 13 million YouTube views . The band draws its name from popular anime series Berserk by Kentaro Miura.
Fans at any BRAND OF SACRIFICE show will be familiar with set-closer ‘Eclipse’ and its ending chant of, “Welcome to the new age.” With Between Death and Dreams, it’s evident the band have ushered in yet another, even fresher era from which there is no turning back.
After Judas Priest recently stormed the German charts with their new album “Invincible Shield” (reaching number 1), the avowed blues fan and band frontman Rob Halford has now announced to Rock Antenne that he is planning a blues album. The same crew that worked on his Christmas album “Celestial,” including his brother Nigel and his nephew Alex, will be part of this project.
Speaking to Rock Antenne, Halford shared the backstory as follows: “As you might have occasionally heard here and there, I had the ambition to make at least one blues album. Because metal, yes, all of rock’n’roll, comes from the blues. A large part of music stems from the blues. And since I am a fan of the blues, I have always wanted to explore this area. A few years ago, we — that is, my brother, my nephew Alex on bass, and a friend of ours — made the CELESTIAL Christmas album together. And then, towards the end of those sessions, I said to the guys, ‘Why don’t we just make a blues album?’ Okay, it’s a simple idea, right? So, we have the music ready, all these songs are primed for the go-ahead. It’s just about timing. Timing and planning are so important in our world, in music. So, that’s something I’d really like to make happen. And if I get the time to implement it, I will do it.”
Watch the complete interview with Rob Halford here:
Italian black metal unit STORMCROW will release their third album, “Path to Ascension”, on May 31st 2024 via Time To Kill Records.
The album was recorded and mixed by Carlo Meroni at ADSR Studio in Milan and mastered by Magnus “Devo” Andersson (Marduk) at Endarker Studio in Sweden. The cover artwork is by Arianna “Trollenskog” Carbone.
Today, the band shares a new single from the album: stream “Petit Dru” HERE.
“Petit Dru is the epic peak located in the Mont Blanc massif, which was conquered solo on 22nd August 1955 by Italian alpinist Walter Bonatti. The song tells of this impossible challenge described by him as a ‘crazy idea generated by moral depression’. Bonatti spent six days on a vertical wall facing his demons, he had hallucinations from the effort, at certain moments he even thought of calling it quits, but his enormous willpower allowed him to conquer this peak, the most difficult of his life”.
Tracklist:
01. Astral Deconstruction§ 02. Dark Existence 03. Vulgus Vult Decipi 04. Detached 05. Ascension 06. Vertical Horizon 07. In This Solitude 08. Petit Dru 09. Ancient Forest
The band started out in northen Italy in 1997 and is no secret to genre connoisseurs thanks to a couple of well-received albums and European tours with Dark Funeral, Enthroned, Shining and many more. But now their big moment in the spotlight has come – STORMCROW are ready for the final breakthrough with the new album “Path to Ascension”.
STORMCROW have kept the black flame burning for 20+ years simply out of adoration and their respect for the genre. Undoubtedly they share some of the same DNA of iconic black metal bands that have gone before them, and whilst their technical abilities add a more than impressive flourish, they operate on a ‘don’t overcomplicate for the sake of overcomplicating’ rule. Keeping theatrics to a minimum has yielded a lean, sharp album that embodies the blueprint of old school black metal and embraces both melody and an epic narrative.
American war metal entity PRIMITIVE WARFARE will be unleashing destruction in the U.S. this June as they embark on the “East Coast Assault” tour in support of ARES KINGDOM along with BLACK EUCHARIST. The onslaught will launch its first strike in Atlanta, GA on June 18 and will continue to lay waste to the states until it ceases fire on June 22 in New York City. The full itinerary can be found below.
ICYMI: Stygian Black Hand and Godz ov War Productions have united in these tenuous times to unveil the debut full-length from war metal operatives PRIMITIVE WARFARE, ‘Extinction Protocol.’ The band is now unleashing the first brutalizing assault from the forthcoming onslaught, “Nuclear Regression,” which can be heard at THIS LOCATION.
‘Extinction Protocol’ will be dispatched on May 10, 2024 on vinyl format in limited edition Black Phosphorous and White Phosphorous variants to be released in undisclosed quantities by Stygian Black Hand. The record will also be made available on compact disc format by Godz ov War Productions.
Primitive Warfare previously commented on the offering, “The goal of ‘Extinction Protocol’ is to amplify the universal fear of predation innate to our collective unconscious after millennia of intraspecies aggression and prepare us as the planet which birthed us becomes the Tomb of Man.”
PRIMITIVE WARFARE U.S. Tour Dates (w/ ARES KINGDOM + BLACK EUCHARIST)
06/18: Atlanta, GA @ The Earl [TICKETS] 06/19: Charlotte, NC @ The Rabbit Hole [TICKETS] 06/20: Richmond, VA @ Banditos [TICKETS] 06/21: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery [TICKETS] 06/22: New York, NY @ TV Eye
‘Extinction Protocol’ Tracklisting:
Pulpit of the Conqueror (Mutually Assured Desecration) (04:07)
Heretic Crusade (04:39) Full running time: (00:31:27)
“Primitive Warfare’s ‘Extinction Protocol’ is a fine example of pure cutting edge sonic mutilation, raw and powerful! It reminds me of the early days of South American black metal with a touch of modern sonic craft. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you!” – Iggor Cavalera
Lineup: U235 – Desecrator of Fate’s Strings and Sonant Nuclear Discharge Pu239 – Atomic Matter Battery and Operatic Moral Torment
Mixing: Pat Thomas Mastering: Jack Control at Enormous Door Recorded at a bunker in an undisclosed location Layout: wreklose Logo/Evolution: Warhead Art
LORD OF THE LOST’s huge “15 Years of LORD OF THE LOST” European tour just started in Nuremberg on Friday, revealing a secret kept in silence for quite a long time! Moving forward, LORD OF THE LOST will be a six-piece, welcoming long time crew member and friend Benjamin “Benji“ Mundigler as an official band member.
Benji has been part of the band’s live and studio crew for the past six years behind the scenes as guitar tech, backliner, stage manager and monitor mixer. Now, his career at the side of the stage ends by starting a new exciting chapter as additional guitarist and keyboard player, debuting as the band’s official sixth member this past Friday. Benji already performed with LORD OF THE LOST this past December, when he stepped in at Lordfest for bassist Klaas, who had been struck down by a heavy migraine attack. Benji learned every song on the setlist on bass in 1.5 hours!
Lead singer Chris Harms comments on this decision: “There are so many good reasons why it was long overdue for Benji to officially join us, but perhaps the one most important reason is: we all want it! It just feels right for all of us. And we are proud to have such a great talent as Benji in our band. We already made the decision in autumn 2023, and we are excited to finally present ourselves as a sextet. We are confident that the best fans in the world will welcome Benji with enthusiasm and open arms!”
Having previously toured with Iron Maiden, represented Germany at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest finals as well as played a nearly fully sold-out headline tour and several massive festivals, LORD OF THE LOST is currently celebrating 15 years of existence with another fast-selling European tour. In addition, the band has just announced a video edition of their latest studio album, out May 10, 2024. The Blood & Glitter (Video Editon) will be available in A5 Digipak CD + DVD + BluRay format.
Pre-order your copy of Blood & Glitter (Video Edition)NOW
Make sure to get your tickets before it’s too late – some of the shows are already sold out! After a summer of big international festival shows, the band will head for its first full North American tour in fall.
15 Years Of LORD OF THE LOST: 26.03.24 CH – Pratteln 27.03.24 FR – Grenoble 29.03.24 ES – Barcelona 30.03.24 ES – Madrid 02.04.24 FR – Paris 03.04.24 LU – Luxembourg 04.04.24 DE – Frankfurt – LOW TICKETS! 05.04.24 DE – Cologne – SOLD OUT! 06.04.24 NL – Amsterdam – SOLD OUT! 17.04.24 CZ – Prague 18.04.24 HU – Budapest 19.04.24 AT – Vienna 20.04.24 DE – Stuttgart – SOLD OUT! 23.04.24 NL – Eindhoven 24.04.24 DE – Berlin 25.04.24 PL – Warszawa 26.04.24 PL – Kraków 27.04.24 DE – Leipzig
BACK TO EUROVISION: 10.05.24 SE – Malmö Special show one day before the ESC Grand Final
U.S. + CANADA 2024: 13.09.24 US – Baltimore, MD 14.09.24 US – New York, NY 15.09.24 US – Boston, MA 17.09.24 CA – Montreal, QC 18.09.24 CA – Toronto, ON 20.09.24 US – Cleveland, OH 22.09.24 US – Minneapolis, MN 24.09.24 US – Denver, CO 26.09.24 US – Phoenix, AZ 27.09.24 US – Los Angeles, CA 28.09.24 US – San Francisco, CA
FESTIVALS: 06-08.06.24 PL – Gdańsk / Mystic Festival 14-16.06.24 UK – Donington Park / Download Festival 28-30.06.24 FI – Helsinki / Tuska Festival 09-11.08.24 BE – Kortrijk / Alcatraz Festival 10-11.08.24 DE – Hildesheim / M‘era Luna 14-17.08 24 DE – Dinkelsbühl / Summer Breeze 24.08.24 DE – Wuppertal / Feuertal Festival 06-08.09.24 DE – Selb / Festival Mediaval (Exclusive Acoustic Show) 29-30.11.24 DE – Weissenhäuser Strand / Plage Noire
14.12.24 DE – Hamburg / LORDFEST 2024
LORD OF THE LOST are: Chris Harms – Vocals, Guitar Pi Stoffers – Guitar Class Grenayde – Bass Gared Dirge – Piano, Synths, Percussion, Guitar Niklas Kahl – Drums Benjamin “Benji“ Mundigler – Keyboard, Guitar
Aussie hard rock / stoner rock rising phenomenon Loaded Billy has officially joined forces with Wormholedeath for the digital re-release of their album “Legend,” set to hit the digital airwaves on May 3, 2024.
Loaded Billy is an Adelaide-based classic hard rock – stoner rock band. Their sound owes much to the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement and is reminiscent of classic “British Steel” era Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, early Def Leppard, and bands like Budgie. The music is an amalgam of great melodies, awesome vocals, big riff-driving guitars, and a pounding kick-arse rhythm section with songs that explore a variety of topics about people and the world.
Audiences know it’s Loaded Billy as soon as they hear that first riff, high-powered rock that’s alive and well in the 21st century. Described by audiences and fellow musicians as ‘insanely talented’ – ‘stadium rock’ – ‘unique’ – ‘an emotional experience’ Their songs are entrenched in a rich musical background: their stage presence imbues an energy that consumes the audience … its toe tappin’, head banging, riff-driven pleasure.
“Legend,” an 11-track album, transcends the mere compilation of singles, offering a cohesive listening journey reminiscent of classic rock albums from the 70s and 80s. Its semi-conceptual narrative revolves around two individuals from rural backgrounds seeking a better life in the city, only to encounter tragedy and love, their stories intertwined with modern themes of exploitation, youth disenfranchisement, and mental health. Musically, it boasts heavy guitar riffs, melodic solos, thunderous drums, and clear vocals, crafting a timeless experience. With seven tracks surpassing six minutes, the album seamlessly flows, each song contributing to the overarching narrative. A cover of Budgie’s “I Turn to Stone” pays homage to Burke Shelly, receiving acclaim from Budgie’s founding member and drummer. Recorded and mixed at Loudtoys Studio, produced by Willi Gutwein, engineered by Sam Gutwein, and mastered by Rick O’Neil, “Legend” stands as a testament to impeccable production and stellar performances, earning praise from the UK’s Powerplay Rock & Metal magazine.
Devil Holds the Tin
Boys Run Wild
Darkness Falls
Scarlet
Creatures of the Night
Demerol Dream
Diablo 1-2-3
Soul Taker
I turn to Stone
Shotgun Afternoon
Swamp Moon
Check out the video for “Boys Run Wild”:
Meet the Band: Willi Gutwein – Drums, Percussion, Jimi James – Main Vocalist, Acoustic Guitars, Ucan Ashtar – Electric Guitars Gary Standley – Bass Guitars, Backing Vocals Cindy Brown – Second Vocalist
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 ) 