In a relentless pursuit of sonic excellence, Omega Diatribe, the multi-award-winning Hungarian Extreme Groove Metal powerhouse, proudly presents their critically acclaimed 5th studio album, “Deviant.” With a musical journey that began in 2013, Omega Diatribe has consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre, earning them a devoted fanbase worldwide.
A Decade of Sonic Mayhem:
Since their explosive debut in 2013 with ‘Iapetus,’ Omega Diatribe has been an unrelenting force in the metal scene. The subsequent albums ‘Abstract Ritual’ and ‘Trinity’ solidified their position, showcasing the band’s evolution. Noteworthy collaborations with Kevin Talley and producer Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, Suicide Silence, The Haunted, etc.) further propelled Omega Diatribe into the international spotlight.
Metanoia – A Turning Point:
The band’s fourth album, ‘Metanoia,’ released in 2020 under the expert hands of producer Jens Bogren, marked a turning point. This Swede maestro’s touch brought forth Omega Diatribe’s strongest material to date, setting the stage for the impending release of “Deviant.”
About “Deviant”:
“Deviant,” the fifth chapter in the Omega Diatribe saga, is out now under the banner of Hungarian label Metal.hu Records. Co-produced and mixed/mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios, Denmark, this album is an 8-panel DIGIPAK CD and two Vinyl editions of pure sonic rebellion. The tracks include revamped classics like “Molecular Torsion” and new hits like “My Sphere,” “Mindreader,” and “Stench Of Demise.”
Tracklist
Stench Of Demise
Mindreader
Deviant
My Sphere
Reflections
Indoctrinated (feat. Sean Zatorsky)
False Prophecy
Seclusion
Molecular Torsion
Three Explosive Singles: Dive into the musical abyss with three electrifying singles extracted from “Deviant”:
Streaming and Purchase Options:“Deviant” is available for streaming on Spotify.Physical copies of the album, both CD and Vinyl, can be purchased via Metal.hu Records
Omega Diatribe is: Gergo Hajer – guitar, vocal Akos Szathmary – bass Milan Lucsanyi – vocal Adolf Grof – drums Janos Kelemen – guitar
Rotting Christ have stood the test of time. While their name has caused plenty of gatekeepers to clutch their pearls, Sakis Tolis and has brother Themis have risen from Greece’s blackened catacombs to one of metal’s most formidable bands.
This year, Rotting Christ are celebrating 35 years of evil excellence with their 14th album. ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) is bound to hold a revered place in the band’s heretical history. Always true to their name, with Pro Xristoy (“Before Christ”), the band pay tribute to the last of the Pagan kings by offering up more towering, gothic, melodic black metal.
Now that Rotting Christ are closing in on four decades, some followers might’ve wondered if there was any sacred ground left for them to conquer. But Pro Xristoy is a testament to a band that’s still on the rise.
“This album was inspired by the might of ancient pagan wisdom”, says Sakis. “It’s a tribute to those who resisted the coming of Christianity, which destroyed all the values, traditions and knowledge of the ancient world”.
Artwork by Thomas Cole – Digital Processing by Adrien Bousson
Pro Xristoy comes out May 24.Pre-orders for the new album will start next month.
Track-list
1. Pro Xristoy (Προ Χριστού) (1:29) 2. The Apostate (5:01) 3. Like Father, Like Son (4:35) 4. The Sixth Day (3:56) 5. La Lettera Del Diavolo (4:01) 6. The Farewell (6:15) 7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33) 8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51) 9. Yggdrasil (5:04) 10. Saoirse (6:17) 11. Primal Resurrection (Bonus Track) (5:32) 12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37) Total runtime: 55:17
To kick off what’s shaping up to be a year’s worth of devilish festivities, Rotting Christ are heading off on a tour of Latin America. Fans from Mexico to Argentina will have the pleasure of banging their heads to an unholy litany of the band’s greatest hits. They’ll also be treated to new songs off Pro Xristoy that are bound to become setlist staples.
Rotting Christ 35 Years of Evil Existence Tour
February 6 – Monterrey, MX February 7 – Torreon, MX February 9 – Chihuahua, MX February 10 – Ciudad Juarez, MX February 11 – Guadalajara, MX February 13 – Leon, MX February 14 – San Luis Potosi, MX February 16 – Queretaro, MX February 17 – Mexico City, MX February 18 – Toluca, MX February 21 – Bogota, Colombia February 23 – Santiago, Chile February 24 – Buenos Aires, Argentina February 27 – La Paz, Bolivia February 29 – Sao Paulo, Brazil March 2 – Brasilia, Brazil March 3 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil
In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,3000 concerts around the globe. Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.
Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embraces refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to bush boundaries.
But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek, English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.
In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristoy. Pro Xristoy (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.
Respected former recording artist for Down Boys Records, ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ, is set to ignite the music scene with his latest musical endeavor under the moniker of CITOVITZ AND THE FIREFLIES OF FEBRUARY. The highly anticipated second single, “Turn To Stone”, from his forthcoming album “Hive of Weirdness,” is poised to immerse audiences in a relentless hard rock instrumental journey.
When reflecting on the creation of this adrenaline-fueled hard rock instrumental, Citowicz shares, “I wanted to push the boundaries of my guitar playing, taking listeners on an exhilarating sonic expedition. ‘Turn To Stone’ encapsulates the raw power of instrumentals, allowing the music to speak volumes without the need for lyrics.”
“Turn To Stone” is now available on all major digital platforms, including iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon Music, as well as the accompanying music video on YouTube, HERE.
Just recently CITOVITZ AND THE FIREFLIES OF FEBRUARY released a guitar instrumental power ballad “Anemoia”, taking listeners on a nostalgic journey back to the late 80s, reminiscent of the iconic styles of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and the legendary songwriter Desmond Child. In case you missed it, stream Anemonia at https://open.spotify.com/track/6KFj7qMuk4XyCHQ4yDHbfN and watch the visualizer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THtiL7q90bY
When asked about the upcoming “Hive of Weirdness” album, Citowicz shared his thoughts, saying, “Creating music has saved my life and made my life better. I am thrilled to finally conclude this chapter of my music trilogy with new ideas and visions, while still maintaining my heart and soul for rock music and the beloved guitar.”
Germany’s FAR BEYOND have today announced their signing to Prosthetic Records, with their forthcoming third album, The End of My Road, set for release via the Los Angeles label on February 16. Alongside the signing and album announcement the one-man melodic extreme metal project has also shared the lead single and music video for From the Stars and the Crescent Moon.
Commenting on the signing, Eugen Dodenhoeft comments: “The opportunity to release my album with Prosthetic Records fills me with great gratitude. I want to thank Steve and the entire label for their trust and support. I hope that this album meets their expectations and touches listeners in the same way it has touched me. The End of My Road is a condensation of my emotions and experiences that has grown over the years and is now being shared with the world through these songs.
“The title The End of my Road is highly metaphorical for me. It reflects the emotional highs and lows I experienced during the creation of this album. It was a journey filled with fears and challenges, and there were moments when I was on the brink of giving up. This album is my personal journey, a multi-layered one that resonates with sad yet powerful tones. It combines the processing of my own mental struggles with fictional elements inspired by life itself.”
Of the lead single, Eugen continues: “From the Stars and the Crescent Moon delves deep into the realms of dreams and nightmares, painting a vivid sonic tapestry that mirrors the intricate journey of FAR BEYOND. In this song, I explore the boundary between reality and the surreal, with lyrics that evoke the struggle to wake from a haunting dream. It’s a tale of longing and the quest for light in a world consumed by endless night.
“From the Stars and the Crescent Moon encapsulates the essence of my musical vision, blending haunting beauty with a touch of melancholy. I also want to mention the collaboration with Lukas Grässlin of Nahtram, whose evocative guitar solos add a layer of emotion that transcends the boundaries of sound and narrative.”
Formed in the early 2000s, FAR BEYOND is the solo project of Eugen Dodenhoeft. Based in the Franconian Switzerland region of Germany, FAR BEYOND’s history to this point has been one of slow and steady artistic progression with 2005’s An Angel’s Requiem and 2016’s A Frozen Flame Of Ice albums showcasing Dodenhoeft’s penchant for seamlessly alternating dynamics of gothic and death metal symphonia.
With time away from his Germany via New Zealand based melodic death metal project, Euphoreon, after two album releases Eugen forged ahead with the next chapter of FAR BEYOND’s existence. The End of My Road was completed over a period of years, with parts of the album written and self-produced as early as 2018, with the towering mountainous ranges of his Franconian surroundings, fantasy fiction and video games providing a much needed comfort and escape from everyday life’s drudgery.
Whilst a solo endeavour at its core, The End of My Road sees collaborative guitar solos from Nathram’s Lukas Grässlin as well as additional synthesiser embellishments from Ari Ahrendt on Tempus Fugit and the title track. The End of My Road was then placed in the hands of Patrick Stäudle of Glaswald Studios in The Black Forest, Germany for mixing and mastering.
Furthering their quest to understand the complexities of the unknown and transcend beyond, The End of My Road’s contemplative atmospherics and concentrated sonic extremities merge seamlessly with a deft poetic touch. FAR BEYOND’s latest full-length is an ambitious and fastidiously curated amalgam of melodeath, symphonic and power metal, covering themes of courage and heart in the face of depression and hardship.
The End of My Road tracklist: 1. Midwinter 2. A Symphony of Light 3. Ad Infinitas 4. Tempus Fugit 5. A Wish Upon a Star 6. From the Stars and the Crescent Moon 7. The End of My Road
Platinum-selling rock juggernaut P.O.D. — Sonny Sandoval [vocals], Marcos Curiel [guitar], and Traa Daniels [bass] — have announced their 11th album Veritas, which was named one of the most anticipated albums of the year by Revolver. It will arrive May 3 via Mascot Records. Pre-order it here.
Now the band has shared the video for “I WON’T BOW DOWN,” yet another banger that further introduces Veritas. Watch it here.
Last year, the band debuted the video for “DROP,” which features a vicious vocal cameo from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. It was spun on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, Kerrang! Radio, Primordial Radio and earned quick accolades from Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, Metal Injection, Consequence, Revolver, Idioteq, The Pit, Yahoo!, and Knotfest.
They followed with the video for equally eruptive single “AFRAID TO DIE,” featuring Jinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk.
The tracks combined have garnered seven million streams!
“We can’t wait for you all to hear the new album in its entirety,” states Curiel. “We’ve put so much heart and soul into this recording. We are extremely proud of it. We hope to see all your beautiful faces in city near you. Thank you for your unwavering support. We love and appreciate you all.”
Sandoval furthers, “There’s a first time for everything and the writing and recording process of this record will definitely not be the last. We might’ve just created our best album yet!”
“This will most likely be one of my favorite P.O.D. records,” says Daniels. “There are some songs on this record that are so different from one another, but still have that P.O.D. So Cal flavor.”
Track Listing “DROP” (Feat. Randy Blythe) “I GOT THAT” “AFRAID TO DIE” (Feat. Tatiana Shmayluk) “DEAD RIGHT” “BREAKING” “LAY ME DOWN” (Roo’s Song) “I WON’T BOW DOWN“ “THIS IS MY LIFE” (Feat. Cove Reber) “LIES WE TELL OURSELVES” “WE ARE ONE (OUR STRUGGLE)” “FEELING STRANGE”
P.O.D. have been a band — and a vital one at that — for more than 30 years. But ask the members what still inspires them after all this time, and they’ll tell you they still operate as if they’re perpetual underdogs. Yes, with every new album they release, with every show they play, these musical lifers still feel they have something to prove. “We’re still here and we’re still creating some of the best music we’ve ever made,” says Curiel. “When it comes to heart, grit It’s this mindset, this unrelenting grit that has long defined the platinum-selling P.O.D. and continues to do so as they march proudly into the next era of their long-winding journey of a career. Now, nearly five years removed from their previous studio album, Circles, which to date has been streamed more than 50 million times and spawned the Top 25 hit “Listening For The Silence,” the band returns in a major way with Veritas, the eleventh P.O.D. LP and arguably their hardest-hitting record yet.
Lovers of all forms of music, P.O.D. have forever incorporated everything from rock to reggae, hip-hop to punk in their art. “We flirt with so many different styles,” offers Curiel. This go-round, however, P.O.D. decided to get back to the basics. “We made a conscious decision to keep it in the rock zone this time,” says Sandoval adding that there’s “a certain bounce and a certain two- step” to the 11 tracks that comprise the album. “These songs are a throwback to me and remind me of the raw unbridled energy of classic South San Diego P.O.D.,” offers Daniels.
Written over the course of several years, with the band typically writing a tune or two at a time in L.A. with The Heavy, Veritas is a cannon-shot of adrenaline to the ear drums. And for a band that has never shied away from wearing their heart on their sleeve, it’s also one of the most emotionally inspired albums of the band’s career.
The word Veritas — which translates to “Truth” in Latin — defined the emotional core of the album, and the album art further encapsulates that message: to Curiel, the Veritas album cover, which pictures a child with its eyes blacked out, signifies “a culmination of innocence and dark hidden truths.
P.O.D.’s audience has always been at the core of everything the band does, and to that end, their live shows remain essential to who they are. They’ve played major festivals including the Sick New World, INKcarceration and Hell and Heaven Fest, and have shared stages with the likes of KORN, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Evanescence, and Seether.
Now, as they look to the future with Veritas as their anchor, P.O.D. are nothing if not amped about where things go from here. Well, that, and extremely grateful. “30 years ago there wasn’t this end goal,” says Sandoval. “It was always about the next record, the next show, the next tour. We’ve always enjoyed where we’re at. We’re still hustling and we’re still working hard.”
P.O.D. ON TOUR: 3/14 — Manchester, UK — Manchester Academy 3/15 — London, UK — OVO Arena Wembley 3/16 — Birmingham, UK — O2 Arena 5/12 — Daytona, FL — Welcome to Rockville 5/16-18 — Colombus, OH — Sonic Temple 9/18-21 — Miami Gardens, FL — INKED@SEA
February 23, 2024 sees instrumental psych rock maestros MONKEY3 release their much-awaited new album, entitled Welcome To The Machine, via Napalm Records. Once again, MONKEY3 envelop listeners in their unique, cosmic auditory haze with their newest release.
Welcome To The Machine’smusical themes are inspired by movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, Sunshine, Solaris and 1984, while unveiling an intense mankind vs. machines story that instantly launches the listener into deep space. Right from its first tones, the album immediately emerges as a perfect soundtrack to a journey into the unknown. Tracks such as the previously-released, first album single “Rackman” perfectly showcase how MONKEY3 are one of only a few instrumental bands that know how to tell an enthralling story.
MONKEY3 move perfectly between haunting passages and progressive breaks, as well as mesmerizing grooves and colossal riffs, reinforced by songs such as today’s newly premiered “Collision”. As the track explores the awareness of reality and destruction of an artificial machine system, MONKEY3 excel with an extensive, cosmic introduction that explodes into a majestic psychedelic magnum opus!
Guitarist Boris says about the song: “The colliding of two elements creates chaos, but also peace and harmony. This gives birth to something completely new. What are we looking for? What do we want to achieve?”
A visualizer video, created by Ingo Spörl (Hard Media), is now premiering HERE:
Following Live at Freak Valley in 2017 and their latest, much-acclaimed album, Sphere(2019), Welcome To The Machine not only marks the Lausanne-based band’s seventh and most epic, dark and captivating record to date, but will also clearly prove why MONKEY3 belong to one of the most exciting instrumental rock bands in the modern stoner and psychedelic rock scene.
Welcome To The Machine explores as much as it poses questions. It is dark and menacing; evoking melancholic destruction while somehow bursting with hope at the same time. The album was recorded and mixed by Raphaël Bovey at Blend Studio and MyRoom Studio, and was mastered by Lad Agabekov at Caduceus Studios in Switzerland. The stunning cover artwork was created by Sebastian Jerke.
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 ) 