Finnish violinist and composer TUOMAS ROUNAKARI is set to join forces with YASUHARU TAKANASHI, a respected Japanese composer known for his anime and video game soundtracks, in an upcoming concert. This special event is scheduled for January 26th at Sibeliustalo, in Lahti, Finland.
Rounakari, celebrated for his contributions to Finnish metal and ethnomusicology, looks forward to the collaboration: “It’s an honor to share the stage with Yasuharu Takanashi. His admiration for Finnish metal and his significant work in anime make for an interesting blend of styles. The concert, which sold out quickly, will be a unique experience for the audience.”
Yasuharu Takanashi, whose credits include famous anime like Naruto Shippuden and Fairy Tail, comments on his preparation: “I’m excited about performing in Finland and have begun my practice routine. It’s a great opportunity to play alongside talented Finnish musicians.”
The concert features a lineup of skilled artists:
Yasuharu Takanashi – Keyboards and others
Tuomas Rounakari (Korpiklaani) – Violin
Toni Porthén (ex-Värttinä) – Drums
Jesper Anastasiadis (Turisas) – Bass
Ossi Maristo (Battle Beast tour member) – Guitar
Iivo Kaipainen (Arion) – Guitar
Yasuharu Takanashi is a Tokyo-born composer and arranger, known for his versatile musical career and contributions to numerous anime series. This collaboration is a unique opportunity to witness a blend of Finnish and Japanese musical influences.
For more information, please visit the official pages at
TUOMAS ROUNAKARI is an internationally acclaimed violinist, composer and ethnomusicologist from Finland. He is a one-man-band blending violin, vocals and stomping with ankle-bells. In his performance he enters various trance-states. In this album he will also be playing a traditional Khanty instrument called Ning-juh.
Tuomas is inspired by different forms of dialogue; man and nature, the seen and the unseen world, ancient and future. His first solo album Shamanviolin was a result of ethnomusicological studies of the earliest 20th century wax-cylinder recordings from Siberia. These studies have also led to many collaborations with indigenous artists. He is one of the few artists who have actually returned their art to native communities for evaluation and development.
Tuomas Rounakari solo performance has been selected to: World Cultures Festival in Hong Kong (2019), Arctic Arts Summit (2019), Nordiskt Ljus Festival in Sweden (2022), Festspillene Helgeland in Norway (2021), Nuuk Nordik Festival in Greenland, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland (2018, 2013, 2012), Helsingin Juhlaviikot and many others. He has also played the solo performance in several theaters such as Finnish National Theater in Helsinki, Merlin Szinhas Teater in Budapest, AlfredVeDvore in Prague, Ashurst Hall in Flagstaff USA among others.
Big Wolf Band are delighted to announce their new album”Rebel’s Journey” due for release on Friday 19 April 2024. This is their biggest and boldest release to date, and the second instalment of the Rebel’s trilogy of albums. Joining forces once more with esteemed producer Mark Stuart and studio engineer maestro Sheena Sear at M2 Studios for their 3rd studio album.
New single,Empire and a Prayer, released Friday 19 January, is available to stream HERE. Watch the official video for Empire and a PrayerHERE.
The new album is about the growth of the band and frontman’s Jonathan Earp’s personal journey. Big Wolf Band have built a reputation as being one of the best live bands on the circuit, delivering dynamic shows with an expansive range of self-penned songs that cover all flavours of blues rock that truly makes them unique.“Rebel’s Journey” reinforces this bands creativity, musicianship, and delivery. Each song having its own identity but still that unmistakable Big Wolf sound. The band’s ability to drift between genres while keeping their own sound is a big selling point amongst followers of the band.
The first single off the album and racing out of the blocks is Empire and a Prayer. This is a high energy, pedal to metal riff-based guitar track. It hits you with flavours of southern rock, Americana and hints of the blues, laced with catchy vocal hooks, driving piano and powerful drums.
The song is about escapism, getting away from it all and in this case taking a drive in your favourite car to forget your daily worries. The track is also a little nod to a friend who has provided help to the band in the past. The backing vocals on this track and on the rest of the album is the wonderful Zoe Green. This song demonstrates the band’s ability to move through the gears with ease and ultimately demonstrates a more rocking sound. This track was co-written by Jonathan Earp and Justin Johnson.
“Rebel’s Journey highlights my own personal battle with my mental and physical health,” says vocalist and guitarist Jonathan Earp. “I have a connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (HEDS) which affects everything. I had surgery in mid-2019 during our “Be Free” tour to repair damage to my right shoulder, dislocations, and nerve pain. Unfortunately, the operation caused more pain and numbness and for nearly 2 years I struggled to play; some days to even hold a plectrum.”
“Songs like Standing in the Rain, Black Dog Blues and Living on Borrowed Time are about the battles I had during those dark days. My condition will always be a challenge but one I live with and continue to prove doubters wrong.”
Continues Jonathan, “the album isn’t all doom and gloom, despite being in the blues genre. “Empire and a Prayer, my first co-written song with Justin Johnson, as well as Got Me Reeling and Living on Borrowed Time. We have had many a joke with my dark writing style, Justin brings the light and love. Rise Together is one of the songs on the album I am proud of and is all about the power of love, rising together and that anything is possible.”
Mick, Justin, Robin, and Tim played out of their skin. Mark and Sheena as always bringing it all together. Big Shout out to Zoe Green for adding some amazing backing vocals. We even managed a first in the studio’s history by getting Sheena to add some gang vocals along with my wife on Rise Together.” As the title of the album suggests, it has been one hell of a journey”. “The most challenging song on the album was Standing in the Rain. It’s a big old ballad of a song, lots of moving parts, orchestral parts, stops, starts and even a thunderstorm. Everyone delivered big time on this album.
2024 also sees Big Wolf Band hit a big milestone reaching their 10th year together as a band. From humble beginning as a 3-piece to the big sound they deliver now as a 5-piece. “Rebel’s Journey” is a fitting name for the album and their 10th year together. The band undertake their biggest headline tour to date adding dates in Germany and the Czech Republic.
Rebel’s Journey – Track Listing
1. Empire and a Prayer (3:57) 2. Valley of the Fallen Kings (5:58) 3. Lay it on the Line (3:48) 4. Rise Together (4:06) 5. Six Strings Loaded (4:19) 6. Black Dog Blues (6:07) 7. Standing in the Rain (7:24) 8. Living on Borrowed Time (3:46) 9. Got Me Reeling (4:32) 10. Crazy Love (3:32) 11. Darker Side of You (4:40) 12. Just a Little Bit (5:26) 13. Too Many Times (4:20)
Production Credits
All songs written by Jonathan Earp except Empire and a Prayer, Got Me Reeling and Living on Borrowed Time Written by Jonathan Earp and Justin Johnson. Lead guitar and vocals – Jonathan Earp Bass – Mick Jeynes Drums – Tim Jones Rhythm Guitar and backing vocals – Justin Johnson Piano and Hammond organ – Robin Fox Backing vocals – Zoe Green Addition Vocals on Rise Together – Tracey Earp and Sheena Sear Shaker, Tambourine, and kitchen sink – Mark Stuart Produced by Mark Stuart and Jonathan Earp Mixed by Mark Stuart and Sheena Sear Mastered by Sheena Sear Chief Studio Entertainment – Ralf and Susie (M2 Studio dogs) Recorded and mastered at M2 Studios Album artwork – Daniel Lloyd Single Artwork – Jonathan Earp and Daniel Lloyd
Album Track By Track
Empire and a Prayer – This track is the first collaboration between me and Justin,” says Jonathan. “I had all the music and Justin added the lyrics. The song is all about getting in car and going for a drive to clear your head, certainly helps if it’s a nice car! The title is a nod to a friend Mark who helped us out by driving us to a lot of gigs.”
Valley of the Fallen Kings – “This track has it all and gives a different twist to the story of the crossroads and making a deal with the devil,” says Jonathan. “The production on this has a bit of everything on it, 12 and 6 string acoustic guitars and Mark and Sheena really deliver on putting it all together. It is a big old song and one that is fun to play live.”
Lay it on the Line – “This track has the traditional Big Wolf feel, if that’s a thing” says Jonathan. “A blues drenched number with a variation on the typical blues turn arounds. The track has some lovely dynamics in it, drop down section that builds nicely into a solid blues solo. I really dig into some simplistic but powerful bluesy guitar vibes. My guitar influences seeping through my playing. Robin adding a funky style piano, Zoe with those stunning backing vocals really added to the whole vibe.
Rise Together – As in previous albums, the band isn’t afraid to flex its songwriting muscles and produce an anthem style song in “Rise Together”, this song has southern, country and roots vibes to it with some amazing vocals and harmonies. Jonathan says “This song was the most I have ever been pushed vocally by Mark. Lots of praise to Mark for his input on this track. A very subtle change in the melody and the song came alive. I love the vocal arrangements on this track, Mark and Sheena are such an essential part to the Big Wolf sound. Zoe shines on this track with her harmonies, a massive team effort overall. I wrote this song about my amazing son and my brilliant soon to be daughter -in-law and, how they have grown in their relationship, love has such power. If you stand together anything is possible.”
Six Strings Loaded – A throwback bluesy rock filled adventure. Lyrically this song is about making a deal with the devil to get his soul back. This song has an old school rock feel about it while keeping a blues feel. Zoe’s gospel style backing vocals adds another flavour and Mick Jeynes bass line is killer on this track. Mick adds “Jon had a swampy Andy Fraser type bass line already prepared for this track and so it was a pleasure to try and work on his ideas. Jon gave me free reign to experiment a bit in the bridge and so it was great to throw in the odd minor pentatonic fill in for that part.”
Black Dog Blues – Classic Big Wolf Band vibes all over this track, powerful, dynamic, and moody. Jonathan says, “It’s about battling those dark thoughts, depression creeping in and how sometimes no matter how hard you try it still gets you. From a song point of view this was great song to record, and the backbone of the track is provided by that solid unit of Mick and Tim. Robin adds some stunning Hammond runs on this song as well that really gives it that feel.”
Standing in the Rain – “This is probably the biggest sounding song we have ever recorded,” says Jonathan. “This track was a mammoth undertaking and at the early stages of song selection nearly didn’t make the cut. I had the guitar line and some other bits but was struggling pulling it all together. After a bit of perseverance, it came together. I am not afraid to say I have my struggles with mental health and this song is about being lost in a deep depression, seeing how much you are loved but feeling totally detached from it. I am super proud of this song and everyone’s contribution on it.”
Living on Borrowed Time – This track has real rocking feel to it but again the Big Wolf Band manages to keep the links to the blues to create their own unique sound, fours to the floor. Powerful lyrics depicting a hidden battle. Jonathan describes “Another song about battling depression and how sometimes you feel like you are living on borrowed time. I have felt in the past that I am looking over my shoulder, what happens if the next episode is the last and the black dog finally gets me. This really does tell that battle I have with those negative thoughts.”
Got Me Reeling – Catchy blues drenched feel to this. Mick and Tim really at the forefront on this song, providing an amazing groove for the rest of the band to bounce off. Catchy vocal melodies, hook lines and solo that build nicely. The third song co-written by Jonathan and Justin.
Crazy Love – Funky up-tempo bluesy groove on this song. High energy, dynamic and catchy. Jonathan adds “This one if from the locker. I think I originally wrote this way back in 2012 but kept it on ice. Sometimes you just wait for the right time to bring a song into existence, Justin was very eager to get this one on the album. This was a lot of fun to record and remember.”
Darker Side of You – This is a dark and moody number about when love falls apart. This song has a catchy guitar hook and some soulful backing vocals provided by Zoe. Again, this has that Big Wolf sound, the production on this is perfectly simplistic. Jonathan adds “I sometimes like to write about a subject matter or a scenario rather than my own life. This song tells the story about one person coming to terms that they are in a bad relationship, trying to hold it all together but it is a toxic relationship. Robin adds some nice piano on this track. Simplistically beautiful”
Just a Little Bit – Groovy number with some nice flavours of the blues, fun, energetic song with some nice backing vocals and a dirty bassline. Jon says “This is an upbeat little number that just grooves along nicely. Telling a story of holding in there and having that one person that makes it all ok.”
Too Many Times – This is song is dynamic, powerful, subtle with a strong message given the times we live in. It is a fitting way to finish the album with some sobering thoughts. Jonathan adds his thoughts “We really have learned nothing, we still crave war, civilization hasn’t evolved yet has it? The powers that be are always seeking out the next war for profit and greed, leaving a world divided by hatred. I hope one day we find a way to live together in peace, after all we are living a tiny planet hurtling through the galaxy.”
Rebel’s Journey 2024 Tour Dates, remaining shows Tickets: http://www.bigwolfband.com/tour-dates 7 February – The Jam House, Birmingham 10th February The Station, Cannock 13 February – Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon 23 February – Blues at the Bay, Stockton on Tees 25 February – Half Moon Putney plus support from Thomas Heppell 1 March – Wirral Blues Club, Wirral 2 March – Borough Blues Club, Wales 12 March – REICHENBACH, DE 13 March – KOLÍN, CZ 14 March – Banská Štiavnica, SK 15 March – BUDIŠOV NAD BUDIŠOVKOU, CZ 16 March – ZNOJMO, CZ 17 March – VALAŠSKÉ MEZIŘÍČÍ, CZ 22 March – Leeds Blues Club 29 March – The Bear, Luton 31 March – Nantwich Jazz and Blues 5 April – Temperance, Leamington 12 April – Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury 14 April – Bromley Blues Club 20 April – Blues at the Barleylands, Billericay 21 April – Hope Tavern, Market Rasen 26 April – Bosworth Blues Festival 11 May – Macclesfield Beer Festival 24 May – Saltburn Blues Club, Redcar 25 May – Booze and Blues Festival, Leicester 7 June – Lamp Tavern, Dudley 13 June – Red Arrow Music Club, Ramsgate 16 June – Blues Weekend at the Toorak Hotel, Torquay 5 July – Alfold Rock and Blues Festival 9 August – Darlington R&B Club 17 August – Old Bush Blues Festival 24 – August – Rory Gallagher Festival, Nantwich 25 August – Congleton Jazz and Blues (venue tbc) 6 September – Nene Valley Festival 15 September – Red Lion, Stevenage 20 September – Joe Joe Jim’s, Birmingham 4 October – Backstage at the Green, Kinross 12 October – Legends Blues Club, Tamworth 1 November – Colne Delta Blues and Americana Club 23 November – Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton 13 December – Emsworth Music Club
The title song, Ghosts, is the second single from the Pirate Queen debut album. It is a dramatic and eerie conceptual song with a story about a séance where five ladies unleash demon pirate ghosts. The mysterious vocals, powerful riffs, and guitar melodies will show you a new side of Pirate Queen. Her Majesty’s voice is glorious. Destiny and Victoria’s ice-cold guitar parts and the stunning rhythm section of Luna and Raindrop create a ghostly, haunted sea atmosphere. Once you are embraced by the magical flow of the song, an unexpected climax will enchant you.
The video was recorded in awards winning horror themed hotel, Insomnia in Catalonian mountains. Located in an actual haunted house. Insomnia is the only hotel in the world where each guest room is its own escape room. They guarantee you sleepless night during your stay.
About the band:
The album Ghosts is a treasure chest of addictive melodies. It is so catchy that after a few listenings, it might transform you into a pirate. The songs are done with the mastery of mixing precious power metal with pirate, fantasy, symphonic, and fantasy elements. The beautiful guitar melodies and enchanting vocals of Her Majesty Maria Aurea offer explosions of notes and harmonies with a massive production that make this album a pirate metal masterpiece. The album is magical, with a real story behind it. When you close your eyes, it will take you on a breathtaking journey where you will meet pirates, sirens, and ghosts. Pirate Queen is the first all-female metal band that combines music and LARP at their live shows. They use Epic Armoury weapons exclusively, wear Museum Replicas boots, produce their own Pirate QueenSikkim Gin and like to spend vacations at Insomnia Hotel.
Beautiful ladies, demons, ghosts… Formed in 1523…They are returning after 500 years. Descendants of famous pirates have settled all over the world. Their kingdoms control the world’s seas to this day. In their society, women hold the highest positions. Some born in this world, others sent from outer worlds, all loyally serve their queen. The old nautical chronicles mention a time when a group of five girls will come together. Who are related and united by the gift of piracy. In the ungodly year 2023, the New Pirate Queen took over the command and continues the tradition of her ancestors. To charm and loot. Their Pirate Kingdom’s capital, Lyxion, is a mystical floating island that floats around the Bermuda Triangle.
Finally, Paris-based alternative rock and metal act ONLAP has revealed new details about their forthcoming, hotly-anticpated studio album! “Waves” is slated for a release on June 14, 2024 via AFM Records, the pre-sale has just started at https://onlap.bfan.link/waves
Their first ever release on AFM Records, sees ONLAP to step up the ladder and evolve their already digitally incorporated DNA. Following a series of previously-released album tracks, such as “Nevermind”, “Fever”, “Hypnotized” and “Crawling In The Dark”, today, the band is premiering a video clip for their new single “Afterglow“.
“Afterglow” is a very special song, and one of the last single releases before our album “Waves” will drop in June 2024,” the band comments. “This song is that kind of a message of comfort for all those who think that their best period, of age, of glory, of love, of happiness, of strength, of health, is behind them and past. The best is yet to come and this song is here to remind and accompany anyone who needs it. The video is quite a very special project, paying tribute to the Workout community, which has always supported ONLAP for all these years. So we brought together famous Youtubers and members of the ONLAP family to participate in this video and we are honored that so many people responded to this call. Looking forward to finally unveil this song and video!!”
ONLAP was formed in 2006, driven by a full DIY-spirit. Since years, each song they self-released has been ruling Social Media platforms and playlists, with a fan base growing day by day (with 380k monthly Spotify listeners and 115k YouTube subscribers to name just a few numbers) and a cross-platform streaming performance of more than 150 million streams. “The Awakening”, the band’s top hit on Spotify, reckons with 23M streams only to this impressive hoard of facts.
With their signing to AFM Records and as first single releases instantly prove, ONLAP have never felt more vibrant and hungry than they are on their upcoming album “Waves”. After all those years self-releasing a giant number of tracks, some EP’s, and 1 best-of records in celebration of their 15th band anniversary, ONLAP have been hard at work to finally unleash their full-length offering containing 10 colossal, new tracks. According to the band, “Waves” will be a collection of their musical history, roots and recent influences, and will mark the most ambitious offering ONLAP has achieved in their career to date. But one can be sure, ONLAP are going to make “Waves”!
A Serpent’s Tongue, is the second single from PRAISE THE PLAGUE‘s upcoming new album Suffocating In The Current Of Time, which is set to be released on February 16th!
The single is accompanied by a video clip from Chariot Of Black Moth, who already did videos and trailers for Napalm Death, Cave In, God Is An Astronaut and many others.
PRAISE THE PLAGUE formulate the introduction to the dark, grim soundscape of their third album themselves by saying: “The gate is passed, upon us is a bleak, raging sea. Tidal waves crushing ashore, out of desperation evolves anger and frustration. Time, as a construct, imprisons its architects. “Suffocating In The Current Of Time” takes us from a dark and devouring realm, to staring the devourer into its cold, dead eyes. Lead by fierce and unforgiving melodies, we are marching into our own decay. Lead by the pounding of drums we indulge ourselves in the cloak of false promises.”
The quintet from the German capital Berlin has been around since 2017. After the debut “Antagonist” and their first album for LIFEFORCE RECORDS, “The Obsidian Gate” (2021), “Suffocating In The Current Of Time” showcases a further intensification of the band’s dense and intense black metal. PRAISE THE PLAGUE are modern representatives of their guild and not purists. There are also ominous echoes of doom and sludge as well as atmospheric post-metal. It is no coincidence that the Berliners’ third album remains instrumental for longer passages. This increases the impact of the furious tempo sections with their nagged vocals.
“Suffocating In The Current Of Time” is full of emotion. Not all of them are purely negative and depressing. Nevertheless, PRAISE THE PLAGUE’s playing will be perceived above all as oppressive and hopeless. Given their band name, who can blame them? The musicians pursue relentless catharsis.
ALBUM TRACK LIST:
Veil of Tyrants The Tide Astray From Light A Serpent’s Tongue Devourer Throne of Decay
Finnish punk rockers The Dogshit Boys release a new four song ep with sick, fast and heavy punk n’ roll. The “Adogalypse Now!” ep is out on all major digital- and streaming platforms + 7” vinyl.
The new ep brings new sounds in the form of two stoner-heavy punktracks + two fast paced punk explosions in the ven of traditional finnish old school borderline hardcore Flashrock.
The cult band from Helsinki, Finland was formed in 2000 as a lo-fi psychotic entity that has evolved into strong metal-punk territory.
The songs touch subjects like climate change despair, general “fuck this sh**t” feelings — and of course evil Fembots from the future fighting alcoholic zombies in the sewers of some future Metropolis, in the manner of the mighty Judge Dredd comics.
In the summer of 2023 the original lineup reformed for one night only at vocalist-madman la55es Birthday bash to play a handful of cult songs from the ancient era of The Dogshit Boys.
Watch this special performance on YouTube if you dare:
And here´s a couple of songs from the prestigious Vuotalo venue in Helsinki in 2022:
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 ) 