Northern German thrashers EXTINCT, which was formed back in 2003 and have built up a growing following over the last few years through numerous live shows, have new material in the can after their debut “Pain Palace” (2013) and their 2021 EP “Downward Spiral”!
For the release of the new longplayer, the quartet has now signed with MDD Records, where the good Stpck should be released in spring! Get ready for 40 minutes of pure, old-school thrash metal! More infos soon!
Italian metallic hardcore institution BROWBEAT have signed to Time To Kill Records for the release of their fourth full-length album.
Watch for more details on the new album release, new tour updates, and more news on other upcoming BROWBEAT activities to be posted shortly.
Based in a small town near Modena (Italy), BROWBEAT formed in early 1998 from the ashes of local hardcore and metal bands with the intention to create the most intense music possible fusing angst, heaviness and aggressive vocals.
Just after few months the band signs with top independent Italian label Vacation House Records and in May 1999 BROWBEAT starts the recording sessions for the debut album “No Salvation” (VH041) – out in April 2000. “A monument engraved on marble..” (Rumore Magazine), “..every sonorous portion is a hammer blow on the listener back causing multiple breaks..” (Psycho! Magazine). The record is unleashed to unanimous critical acclaim by the Italian press and the band is announced as one of the best acts in Italy. But it’s on the stage, when BROWBEAT starts touring all over Italy playing several headlining runs, where the band conquers the audience with powerful and enraged performances involving people in fearsome energy shows.
With the band writing new stuff, BROWBEAT gets in touch with British top-grade producer Dave Chang (Stampin’ Ground, Earthtone9) and in August 2002 the band heads into the studio to start the recordings of the second album “Audioviolence” (CSK017). The record is the synthesis of the band evolution blending haunting melodies, raged rapped vocal parts, throatripping growls, edged new school guitar riffs, paying also attention to the modern sounds of New Metal scene without loosing the sight of BROWBEAT roots. Chang captures the feelings and the attitude of the band and the result is due not only to the recording process but to Chang emotional involvement as well.
In late 2002 British Casket Music/Copro Records gets in touch with BROWBEAT and in January 2003 the band flies to UK to ink a worldwide deal for the second album release “Audioviolence” (CSK017) out in April 2003. BROWBEAT toured Europe extensively both headlining and as support, like the UK tour with Skindred. They also supported with 50+ shows and countless other appearances with hardcore legends RAW POWER. In 2017, BROWBEAT announced their return after disbanding 10 years earlier, releasing the new album “Remove the Control”. After the reunion the band played with Slapshot, First Blood, Sheer Terror, and in other headlining shows.
During the pandemic, the band begins writing new material and enters the studio to record “The Showdown”, a self-produced five-track EP released in January 2022.
In a remote Ohio forest, OLATHIA dedicated 12 hours to filming The Forest Witch video. Towering trees, blistering sunlight, and uneven terrain put us on our asses a few times, but the sweat flowed, metal jammed, and the witches delivered the desired essence of creepiness. Gabe Fedor of Riffster Productions worked his magic, turning a sunny day into an eerie tale through video. You can watch the video at https://youtu.be/CmXcJMKxtLo
Talking about the new video, Chris E. lead singer adds, “We wanted to create a fast paced, heart pounding urban tale. Picture a car careening into a ditch, saved by a resilient Forest Witch emerging from magical woods. The driver undergoes a profound transformation, blurring reality and enchantment. Uncertainty, temptation, and consequences weave through this dark narrative. Is the trade divine, or has the Forest Witch cast a spell to free herself?”
On November 17th Olathia released their new full length album “The Forest Witch” on all digital platforms and on CD from the Olathia Bandcamp page. Purchase and listen to The Forest Witch: https://smarturl.it/Olathia
Metal Tim Henderson from BraveWords.com said this about Olathia… “Imagine a reincarnated Nevermore meeting Savatage with soaring female vocals and you’ve got the thrash-tastic Olathia that will surely have you doing a double take, they are that good.”
Having heard a early preview of “The Forest Witch”, Bill Peters from WJCU adds, “The Forest Witch pulverizes you from the cauldron of metal with a relentless sonic attack that never let’s up. Olathia’s HEAVIEST offering to date!”
Band Members: Chris E., vocals Dylan Andras, guitar Joe Lowrie, Drums Terry Johnson, Bass
Track Listing: Insatiable The Forest Witch Shotgun Fight Who’s The Devil Last Breath Satan on My Mind Hall of the Mountain King
Production Details: Recorded, mixed and mastered by Noah Buchanan at Mercinary Studios in Avon, Ohio. Produced by Olathia & Noah Buchanan.
About Olathia
Olathia’s music is often characterized as “Power Thrash,” offering a melodic, driving, and purposeful experience that supports storytelling of dark and light themes while fearlessly pushing the boundaries of songwriting and musicianship. Their ability to meld together catchy melodies, heart stopping rhythms and bone crunching chords has given them a rabid fan base in Ohio and throughout the Midwest.
Olathia embodies the heart and passion that defined 1980s Heavy Metal, infusing it with a melodic twist that resonates with the spirit of the metal world today. They draw inspiration from iconic acts such as Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Heart, Halestorm, and Dio. Yet, what truly sets Olathia apart in the modern Heavy Metal landscape is their extraordinary female vocalist, Chris E., whose versatility captures the emotional essence of their songs.
Their songwriting dives deep into universally relatable themes, including battles with inner demons, the sting of betrayal, the weight of depression, the ache of loss, and the warm embrace of camaraderie. If Heavy Metal runs through your veins, Olathia’s music is the electrifying elixir that promises to deliver the thrilling experiences cherished by dedicated
The band members bring their own unique talents to the stage. Terry “Bull” Johnson handles the bass and contributes menacing backing vocals, delivering a stage performance that’s not to be missed. Joe Lowrie, behind the drum kit, provides metronome-perfect timing with powerful precision. Dylan Andras, with his lightning-quick fingers, unleashes crushing riffs and blistering shredding solos that set listeners ablaze. Brace yourself for an auditory journey that harkens back to the golden era of metal while pushing the genre’s boundaries into exciting new territories by blending classic influences from both sides of the Atlantic. Olathia is a blazing comet in the metal constellation, destined to leave a lasting mark on the genre.”
Italian NOAGE have released the first single ‘Playground of the Dead’, taken from their upcoming new album “From Darkness to life”, set to be released this Friday, December 15th. Pre-order at https://bfan.link/from-darkness-to-life
Watch below the video for ‘Playground of the Dead’.
NOAGE, the band led by Germana Noage, former singer of AETHERNA and who collaborated with the Friulian CELTIC HILLS singing in the song ‘Eden’. Precisely from this initial collaboration between Jonathan Vanderbilt, guitarist of Celtic Hills, and again with the production of Michele Guaitoli (Vision Of Atlantis) in 2021 at the Groove Factory in Udine, ‘Surrender’ was created, co-written by Jonathan and Germana.
Once back in Rome, Germana started looking for musicians for the band which is now made up of Michele Raspanti on bass (GRAAL and ex SECRET RULE), Michele “El Diablo” Serra on guitar (formerly in MINDCRIME and ex DAYLIGHT SILENCE), Massimo Pieretti on keyboards and Andres Gualco on drums (ex TERSIVEL).
On the songs composed by Michele “El Diablo” Germana inserted his lyrics full of pathos and wonderful lyrics and NOAGE’s music finally found its dimension. A metal with gothic hues but which pays great attention to the melodies, never banal arrangements and the lyrics of the songs with influences ranging from NIGHTWISH to QUEENSRYCHE.
Swedish metal veterans EVERGREY reset their #1 Spotify track “Call Out The Dark” (over 1 million streams on Spotify) in an emotional piano vocal version, recorded at Evergrey HQ! The new single is cut from the band’s upcoming anniversary album, From Dark Discoveries to Heartless Portraits, a celebration of 30 years of Gothenburg’s finest export of darkness, set for release this Friday, December 15, 2023!
The original version of “Call Out The Dark” was released on EVERGREY’s highly acclaimed 2022 opus, A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament), which entered charts worldwide at #3 in Sweden (Metal), #7 in Finland, #12 in Germany and ranked #5 on the Top New Artist Albums charts in the United States. The new, beautifully stripped-down version of the song comes with a fitting official video.
Jonas Ekdahl states: ”I love how Tom and Rikard manage to take these songs and transform them into something unique and different than its original form and sound. If you manage to remove all the production elements within a song and strip everything down to its essence, and still feel that it holds up and sounds good – you know it’s a good song! That’s exactly what they have done with these piano vocal versions in my opinion. This version of ’Call Out The Dark’ delivers slightly darker vibe and the lyrics stand out and reach you even more than on the original version.”
From Dark Discoveries to Heartless Portraits will be available in various formats – for example, an extremely limited 2LP Gold Vinyl edition. It unites EVERGREY’s past and present and paves the way for their next chapter – and an even brighter future to come. Here’s to another 30!
Pre-order From Dark Discoveries to Heartless Portraits HERE
In addition to live versions of recent tracks like “Call Out The Dark” and “Where August Mourns”, the record travels down memory lane with “My Allied Ocean”, “A Touch Of Blessing”, “Recreation Day” and “King Of Errors”. The second half of the offering contains soulful piano vocal versions of four songs from the latest full-length (“Save Us”, “Call Out The Dark”, “Blindfolded” and “Midwinter Calls”), and demo versions of the same tracks, topped by a instrumental version of “A Silent Arc”.
From Dark Discoveries To Heartless Portraits tracklisting: 1. Call Out The Dark (Live Version) 2. Where August Mourns (Live Version) 3. My Allied Ocean (Live Version) 4. A Touch Of Blessing (Live Version) 5. Recreation Day (Live Version) 6. King Of Errors (Live Version) 7. Save Us (Piano Vocal Version) 8. Call Out The Dark (Piano Vocal Version) 9. Blindfolded (Piano Vocal Version) 10. Midwinter Calls (Piano Vocal Version) 11. A Silent Arc (Demo Version – Instrumental) 12. Save Us (Demo Version – Rough Mix) 13. Midwinter Calls (Demo Version – Rough Mix) 14. Call Out The Dark (Demo Version – Rough Mix) 15. Blindfolded (Demo Version – Rough Mix)
EVERGREY are: Tom S. Englund – vocals, guitars Henrik Danhage – guitars Rikard Zander – keys Jonas Ekdahl – drums Johan Niemann – bass
In January 2024, the Athenian-based extreme act WOTHROSCH will present their latest release “Odium” through the medium of photography!
In collaboration with photographer Jane Fotou, WOTHROSCH will host an exhibition entitled “Odium Magno”, where each track of the record is represented by a single photograph, encapturing its lyrical themes.
Furthermore, the exhibition is accompanied by a newly-composed musical piece, once again entitled, “Odium Magno” which acts as the album’s alter-ego and stands as a reflection of how “Odium” would sound, if it existed in a parallel universe. Thus, transforming the whole photographic exhibition, into a multi-media art installation.
Like the album, “Odium Magno” aims to explore the darkest facets of the human condition and to take those who experience it, through the shadows and farthest depths of their inmost abyss.
“Odium Magno”, will be hosted by the Art Zone 42 Gallery in Athens (GR), from the 18th – 27th of January 2024 and is free to visit.
WOTHROSCH recently released a twisted new music video for the track ‘Tumor’, which is taken from their latest masterpiece “Odium”. The new offering was directed by the acclaimed Claudio Marino (SHINING, BEHEMOTH, TRIBULATION).
Up for a challenge? Gather in masses and watch ‘Tumor’ now via the official Hammerheart Records YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/PGrYgLV5esU.
The cover artwork, which was created by SEPTICFLESH mastermind Seth Siro Anton, and further album details of “Odium” can be viewed below. The full album is available on various streaming platforms HERE.
Mass (feat. Niklas Kvarforth) (6:11) [WATCH VIDEO]
Reign (6:08)
For fans of: SepticFlesh, Anaal Nathrakh, Shining, Behemoth, Fleshgod Apocalypse
Emerging from the gutters of Athens, Greece and inspired by extreme soundscapes, WOTHROSCH have embarked on a path to create their inmost sinister art, that explores the darkest facets of the human condition.
WOTHROSCH are a new band from the ever creative Greek scene and created something fresh and new, filled with darkness, a monster of an album that is a Sonic attack unlike you have ever heard. The artwork and the recording strongly contribute to an overall overwhelming experience when listen to “Odium”. Imagine the soundscape experience of SepticFlesh clashing into the furiosity of Anaal Nathrakh: that is what WOTHROSCH sounds like.
“Odium” means: “the state or fact of being subjected to hatred and contempt as a result of a despicable act or blameworthy circumstance”!
WOTHROSCH are not a band. They are a collective, a movement. They are an idea, a dogma. Amongst the contraries they revel. Midst the opposites they dwell. Where all is one and one is all. They are not a band. They are you. They are WOTHROSCH. Welcome to their world.
Line up: Philip Dellas – Vocals Nassos Defiant Stergiou – Guitars
Recorded and produced: by George Emmanuel (SepticFlesh, Rotting Christ, Lucifer’s Child) at Pentagram studio, Athens Mix & master: George Emmanuel Cover: Seth Siro Anton
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
Ads
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 ) 