L to R – Alon Karnieli – Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Liam Fine – Drums, Saar Tuvi – Bass, Idan Kringle – Lead Guitar, Photo Credit: Or Shenkerman
Unleashing their thrash madness this past September on Exitus Stratagem Records with their latest EP “Below The Summit”, Israel’s Sinnery was forced to take down the music as war broke out. Ready to re-upload their latest headbangers, the band announces that thrash fans can rejoice as the music is now back on all digital platforms as of January 16th, 2024 along with it being available on CD and Vinyl.
The EP picks up where Sinnery‘s 2022 album “Black Bile” left off, continuing their self-actualization journey through searing guitar work, pummeling basslines, and vocals that cut through like a razor. “Below the Summit” is a very fast-paced piece of music where a lot is happening all at once. It’s a journey further into the minds of Sinnery, the music and lyrics are a barrage of exactly what they feel in the most authentic and exaggerated way pummeling the listener with a wall of intensity. It is a very human experience that has been etched into this recording, detailing the strange times we are currently living through. The band comments:
“This record marks another important milestone in our lives and careers as we continue to explore further and expand the horizons of what Sinnery’s music can be. We put a lot of thought and effort into Below The Summit to try and get everything we can into it. We sat for hours producing it and sharpening every riff or word in it to make it an experience like we never did before. BTS is a moment in time when we didn’t know exactly how things will turn out for us, we were isolated in our homes when we began writing this, sharing ideas from afar. It was a special experience for us to write this record like this and we feel like we really put that into it.”
On this EP, Sinnery introduces new drummer Liam Fine who has written and recorded on the EP all while learning the band’s older material. In just four months Liam learned 19 songs and wrote four more. Doing so much all at once is probably the most “Sinnery” thing that could have happened to anyone joining in.
“Below the Summit” was mixed and mastered by Arie Aranovich and the album artwork was done by Xul1349 and inspired by a famous Japanese painting called “Thunderstorm Beneath The Summit” by legendary artist Katsushika Hokusai. The EP is recommended for fans of Sylosis, Metallica, and Power Trip.
Track Listing: 1. Somber – 3:27 2. An Ode (Knife Of Erato) – 5:16 3. We Just Want You To – 0:21 4. Share This – 2:19 5. Serene – 5:13 EP Length: 16:38
EP Recording Credits: • All songs performed by: Sinnery • All songs written by: SInnery • Produced by: Sinnery • Mixed by: Arie Aranovich • Mastered by: Arie Aranovich • EP Artwork by: Xul1349
EP Band Lineup: Alon Karnieli – Vocals & Guitars Idan Kringel – Guitars Saar Tuvi – Bass Liam Fine – Drums
One year after the release of “The Showdown” EP, Italian metallic hardcore institution BROWBEAT are back with their brand new album “Unbreakable”, which will be released on March 22nd 2024 via Time To Kill Records.
Whilst fans wait for its release, the band has today debuted the first single taken from the album. Watch the video of “The Real Face” HERE. “The message of this song is a total denunciation of power and rulers who disguise themselves as benefactors, making people believe, through fear and false truths, that what they decide is for the good of the people and the masses. The song calls for the sabotage of this corrupt power and its criminal projects, which aim exclusively to enrich multinationals and large global financial banking groups. An incitement is therefore expressed to violently and courageously unmask the power, making its dirty lies and hypocrisies public”.
Tracklist:
01. The Misers 02. The Real Face 03. Empire On Fire 04. Condemned To Fear 05. Loud Voices 06. The Slothful 07. The Call Of Falldown 08. Disconnection 09. Hold It Down (Madball Cover)
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.
Peyton Parrish will kick off US dates in May at the Palladium NYC (May 3rd), The Palladium in Worcestor, MA (May 4th) and for the first time ever in Canada at MTelus in Montreal, QC on May 5th. The upcoming tour will give fans the chance to experience Peyton’s music live and see for themselves what all the buzz is about. The US dates come hot off an overseas tour of Europe beginning February 2, 2024 in London – which is selling out fast. In August 2023, his dynamic set at Wacken Open Air Festival Schleswig-Holstein, Germany created a word-of-mouth phenomenon to rock fans leading to a successful run of sold out shows in Germany.
February 2 – London, UK – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire February 4 – Paris, France – Bataclan February 5 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg February 6 – Antwerpen, Belgium – Trix February 7 – Zurich, Switzerland – Komplex February 9 – Leipzig, Germany – Haus Auensee February 10 – Stuttgart, Germany – Porsche Arena February 11 – Vienna, Austria – Simm City February 13 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja February 14 – Prague, Czechia – Roxy February 16 – Oberhausen, Germany – Turbinenhalle 1 February 17 – Hamburg, Germany – Edel Optics Arena February 18 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio February 20 – Helsinki, Finland – House of Culture February 21 – Tampere, Finland – Pakkahuone February 23 – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser February 24 – Oslo, Norway – Vulkan May 3 – New York, NY – Palladium Time Square May 4 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium May 5 – Montreal, QC – MTelus
Last week hard rock artist Peyton Parrish’s new album SOUL dropped as the #1 album all genres in the world beating out Teddy Swims, Chris Stapleton, and Taylor Swift. Peyton Parrish has built an army of supporters worldwide through his YouTube and TikTok, amassing an average of 20 million plays per single he releases. Currently, he has over 1.6 million monthly listeners and is growing! The new single “Poetry Glass” was released over the holidays and has flown over 1 million spins. The video has over 1.6 million views.
The 10-track album is a blend of rock, electronic and pop with Peyton’s signature raspy vocals. SOUL includes “Poetry Glass,” an edgy pop-rock anthem with a catchy hook and melody. The album also features “Stuck in the Dark,” a moving ballad showcasing Peyton’s vocal range, as well as “Fallen Angel,” an uplifting song with a powerful message of inner strength. “This album is really personal for me,” said Peyton. “The songs explore relationships, challenging life experiences and finding the strength within yourself to get through them all. I put my whole heart and SOUL into this record, and I can’t wait for my fans to experience the journey with me.”
Peyton’s previous album Rise of Vikingr dropping number #1 on the iTunes charts with viral hits “Dane”, “Dragur”, and “My Mother Told Me” metal version.
Renowned for his unique blend of throaty Viking-inspired metal and post-grunge rock, Peyton Parrish has made a mark through original compositions and gained widespread recognition for his inventive cover renditions. In 2023 his rock-inspired Disney cover album The Most Magical Album on Earth gave Peyton Parrish his first Billboard #1 album. Other accolades include Billboard #1 with his cover of Hercules “Go the Distance” following his first Billboard #1 with his cover of Mulan’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You”.
In a thrilling display of blackened deathcore prowess, OV SULFUR is proud to announce the release of their latest single “Hivemind,” featuring Lukas Nicolai of MENTAL CRUELTY. This release precedes their highly anticipated co-headline “Beyond the Eternal Tour” across North America with MENTAL CRUELTY. “Hive Mind” can be streamed on any of your favorite platforms HERE.
“Hivemind” showcases OV SULFUR’s consistent stance against conventional religious narratives and herd mentality, a theme that aligns seamlessly with MENTAL CRUELTY’s established defiance in their music. Chase Wilson, OV SULFUR’s guitarist, describes the track as a blend of intricate technical riffs and a unique swing, emphasizing its departure from traditional metal norms. “‘Hivemind’ is Ov Sulfur’s rallying cry against the herd mentality that has turned religion from hopeful to hateful for centuries—to the point where it’s basically part of its ethos,” Wilson explains. “The song takes a cue from its celebration of avoiding the typical, stylistically, by taking a left-hand path: embracing off-kilter swing in its dramatic chorus, contrasted with some of their most technical riffing. Lukas Nicolai of Mental Cruelty really elevated the brutality. It’s an honor to have our Century Media labelmates and fellow blackened deathcore leaders on a song with us ahead of our co-headlining tour across North America.”
Lukas Nicolai, MENTAL CRUELTY’s vocalist, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “I said it before and I’m going to say it again: joining Mental Cruelty has been an awesome journey so far. Furthermore, having two Century Media heavy hitters join forces on a co-headline tour in North America is the biggest highlight of this journey so far. I am so stoked to go on tour with the guys in Ov Sulfur, Ghost Bath and Extermination Dismemberment.” “And now to have the opportunity to feature on ‘Hivemind’ is a cherry on top. It was really fun to record this one! I can’t wait to go berserk with Ricky live—though I might try to get up there for ‘Stained in Rot’ haha.”
OV SULFUR and MENTAL CRUELTY are barreling toward the first dates of their “Beyond the Eternal Tour,” marking a significant moment for both bands. This tour will be OV SULFUR’s inaugural co-headlining venture and MENTAL CRUELTY’s first in North America.
The tour will kick off on February 7th in Mesa, AZ, and conclude on March 9th in Las Vegas, NV. Joining them will be the haunting GHOST BATH and the intense EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT. Revolver is running an exclusive giveaway for tickets and VIP passes. Enter HERE.
OV SULFUR comments on the tour: “This tour is not just a series of shows; it’s a demonstration of blackened deathcore’s evolution. We’re honored to share the stage with MENTAL CRUELTY, GHOST BATH, and EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT. Expect a night of unrelenting metal.”
MENTAL CRUELTY adds: “We’re thrilled to bring our latest work, ‘Zwielicht,’ to North American fans. Teaming up with OV SULFUR, GHOST BATH, and EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT ensures a diverse and intense experience for all attendees.”
Tickets are on sale now so go secure your spot in the pit for the “Beyond the Eternal Tour.” Tickets can be found HERE.
Dates: 02/07 Mesa, AZ @ Nile Underground 02/08 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad 02/09 Ft. Worth, TX @ Haltom Theater (Side Stage) 02/10 Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 02/11 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar 02/13 Orlando, FL @ Conduit 02/14 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory) 02/15 Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 02/16 Baltimore, MD @ Metro 02/17 Manchester, NH @ Jewel 02/18 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Meadows 02/20 Montreal, QC @ Fairmount Theatre * 02/21 Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck * 02/22 Cleveland, OH @ The Foundry 02/23 Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving 02/24 Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary 02/25 Chicago, IL @ WC Social Club 02/27 Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck 02/28 Denver, CO @ Roxy Theater 03/01 Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon 03/02 Richland, WA @ Ray’s 03/03 Spokane, WA @ The Big Dipper 03/04 Seattle, WA El Corazon 03/05 Portland, OR @ Dante’s 03/07 San Francisco, CA @ Neck Of The Woods 03/08 Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 03/09 Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place *No EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT
Century Media Records is proud to announce the signing of Sweden’s modern metal standard bearers, ORBIT CULTURE. Hailing from the small town of Eksjö, Sweden (located between the revered metal cities of Gothenburg and Stockholm), the quartet (guitarist and vocalist Niklas Karlsson, guitarist Richard Hansson, bassist Fredrik Lennartsson and drummer Christopher Wallerstedt) has grown into a global force, melding together, riffs that are equal parts thrash, death metal and industrial with arresting hooks and a layered atmosphere that invites comparison to GOJIRA, METALLICA and STATIC-X while carving out something that is uniquely their own.
ORBIT CULTURE’s 2023 album, Descent and its subsequent EP release, The Forgotten topped many recent year-end lists including Metal Hammer who described the album as: “a formidable entwining of modern metal’s most effective and exciting strands into an impressive milestone.” Exhaustive worldwide touring and a steady stream of crowd-pummeling festival slots across the globe, have set the stage for something much larger.
Says ORBIT CULTURE: “Century Media is home to some of today’s biggest metal bands out there and we couldn’t be any happier to be part of their roster. We look forward to bringing you new music in the future and working closely together with Century Media’s world class team!”
“Watching ORBIT CULTURE’s rise to becoming one of the greatest new metal bands in the world and now working with them is inspiring,” states Philipp Schulte, Century Media Vice President and Global Head. “I’ve personally been a fan since the beginning. They are part of both metal and Century Media’s future in a very exciting way.”
Before initiating work on their next LP and Century Media debut, ORBIT CULTURE will tour North America with legendary metal acts, MACHINE HEAD and FEAR FACTORY as well as newcomers GATES TO HELL on the “Slaughter The Martout” tour. The US and Canadian run will continue the Swedish band’s exhaustive work in the territory which has included tours with IN FLAMES and AVATAR and won ORBIT CULTURE a rabid fan-base and high placement on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal “Devil’s Dozen” year-end chart. At the time of this announcement, the band is #1 on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal Following the U.S. tour, ORBIT CULTURE will then embark on an extensive tour of Europe, fittingly titled, the “Descending Into Madness” tour.
“We are beyond excited to be working with ORBIT CULTURE and their team at 5B (Management),” adds Mike Gitter, Century Media Vice President of A&R, North America. “They’ve carved an indelible mark on the worldwide metal scene through vision, determination, and hard work. They’re not merely a band leading the charge for extreme music right now – they’re a band that will lead that charge for many years to come.”
SLAUGHTER THE MARTOUR NORTH AMERICAN TOUR W/MACHINE HEAD, FEAR FACTORY & GATES TO HELL JAN 18 SAN DIEGO, CA @ Brick By Brick (No Machine Head or Gates to Hel w/Thrown Into Exile) JAN 19 SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ The Warfield JAN 20 RENO, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse (No Machine Head or Gates to Hell) JAN 21 PORTLAND, OR @ Roseland Theater JAN 22 SEATTLE, WA @ Showbox JAN 23 VANCOUVER, BC @ Commodore JAN 25 EDMONTON, AB @ Midway Music Hall JAN 26 CALGARY, AB @ Grey Eagle Casino JAN 27 SASKATOON, SK @ Coors Event Centre JAN 28 WINNIPEG, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre JAN 30 MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ Skyway Theatre JAN 31 CHICAGO, IL @ Concord Music Hall FEB 01 PITTSBURGH, PA @ Roxian Theatre FEB 02 NORTHFIELD, OH @ MGM Northfield Park FEB 03 DETROIT, MI @ St Andrews Hall FEB 05 TORONTO, ON @ The Opera House FEB 06 MONTREAL, QC @ M Telus FEB 07 QUEBEC CITY, QC @ Theatre Capitole FEB 08 BOSTON, MA @ Paradise Rock Club FEB 09 BETHLEHEM, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center FEB 10 NEW YORK, NY @ Palladium Times Square FEB 12 SILVER SPRING, MD @ The Fillmore Silver Spring FEB 13 KNOXVILLE, TN @ The Concourse (No Machine Head) FEB 14 ATLANTA, GA @ Masquerade (Heaven) FEB 15 ORLANDO, FL @ House of Blues ** FEB 17 AUSTIN, TX @ Emo’s FEB 18 SAN ANTONIO, TX @ Aztec Theatre FEB 19 HOUSTON, TX @ House of Blues FEB 20 RENO, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse (No Machine Head) FEB 21 ENGLEWOOD, CO @ Gothic Theatre FEB 22 ALBUQUERQUE, NM @ Sunshine Theater FEB 23 MESA, AZ @ Nile Theater FEB 24 LOS ANGELES, CA @ The Bellwether FEB 25 FRESNO, CA @ Strummers (No Machine Head or Gates to Hell w/ Thrown Into Exile)
DESCENDING INTO MADNESS EUROPEAN TOUR MAR 06 GLASGOW, UK @ The Cathouse MAR 07 BRISTOL UK, @ Exchange MAR 08 MANCHESTER, UK @ Rebellion MAR 09 BIRMINGHAM, UK @ Asylum MAR 10 LONDON, UK @ The Underworld MAR 12, ANTWERP, BE @ Zappa MAR 13 KOLN, DE @ Kantine MAR 14 EINDHOVEN, NL @ Dynamo MAR 15 BERLIN @Frannnz MAR 16 HAMBURG, DE @ Headcrash MAR 18 MUNICH DE @ Hansa 39 MAR 19 MILAN, IT @ Santeria MAR 20 ZURICH, CH @ Dynamo MAR 21 VIENNA, AT @ Flex MAR 23 DRESDEN, DE @ Club Puschkin MAR 24 PRAGUE, CZ @ Futurum MAR 25 WARSAW PL @ Hydrozagadka MAR 27 COPENHAGEN, DK @ Pumpehusset MAR 28 MALMO, SE @ Plan B MAR 29 KARLSTAD, SE @ Nojesdfabriken MAR 30 OSLO, NOR @ Inferno Festival APR 02 HELSINKI, FI @ Vanha Ylloppilasta APR 04 STOCKHOLM, SE @ Debaser APR 05 OREBRO, SE @ Frimis APR 06 GOTEBORG, SE @ Valand
VLTIMAS are legends of the underworld. Any good Satanist knows to bow down and worship at the horned feet of David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), Rune Eriksen (ex-Mayhem) and Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy). Their debut was greeted with a rapturous procession of devil horns. But with their new album, these gods of dark, extreme metal have ascended to truly epic heights.
Today, VLTIMAS are releasing “Scorcher”, the album’s hellacious second single.
Some metal songs prefer to slowly unfold before blowing out your ear drums. But rest assured, “Scorcher” is not a slow burn. Sure, the guitars lure you in with a smoky seance. Once Rune tightens those chords into icy black tremolo picking though, VLTIMAS take off like a bat out of hell. The amps crank up; Flo fires off blast beats that are hot enough to singe an angel’s wings, while David Vincent unleashes a miles-long battle cry.
“Satan laughs as worlds collide!“
His growl is so massive, so heartless, you’d better believe that he’s talking about himself.
“‘Scorcher’ brings to life a fantastic story of the great purge that’s coming our way”, says Vincent. “Humanity has been sleepwalking toward this reckoning for centuries. There will be no refuge, nor mercy granted”.
Cover art by Daniele Valeriani – Additional artwork and layout by Adrien Bousson
VLTIMAS have been making grand declarations of war for more than 30 years, but the lead single off EPIC isn’t just another offering at the altar of madness.
“I spread my misery, biblically evolved”, David Vincent sings on “Miserere” in a baritone that’s so monstrous it could summon an army of the dead.
The drums speed ahead mercilessly, mowing down all onlookers under a barrage of surgical blast beats, as riffs hail from all directions with enough firepower to shatter bulletproof glass.
Tracklist 1. Volens Discordant (1:02) 2. EPIC (4:35) 3. Miserere (3:51) [WATCH] 4. Exercitus Irae (4:01) 5. Mephisto Manifesto (05:05) 6. Scorcher (03:21) [WATCH] 7. Invictus (5:30) 8. Nature’s Fangs (3:52) 9. Spoils of War (5:54) Total runtime: 37:16
Extreme metal powerhouse VLTIMAS (pronounced ‘uhl-tuh-mas’) assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, EPIC, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, RUÏM), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, VLTIMAS fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles “Miserere,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus” showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness.
“We wrote every bit of EPIC together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas,” offers Vincent. “The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I’d say to the guys, ‘I need to capture this.’ So, the magic [of VLTIMAS] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we’re doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie.”
While the members of VLTIMAS are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they’re together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he’s got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it’s the moody, angular attack of “Miserere,” the wicked groove of “Mephisto Manifesto,” or the dark fury of “Nature’s Fangs,” the chemistry and enterprise of VLTIMAS is undeniable.
“The main goal [of VLTIMAS] is to be real,” Eriksen reveals. “To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don’t believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For EPIC, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and ‘playful’ flair.”
VLTIMAS was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian’s fingers still itched with infernal fury. VLTIMAS was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, VLTIMAS had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, EPIC spears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent’s brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.
“Everything we’re doing and messaging is about strength and honor,” says Vincent. “These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they’ll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn’t say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I’m not a short attention span guy, and I don’t appreciate it. EPIC is holistic and meant to be experienced that way.”
EPIC was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. VLTIMAS tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—EPIC was captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer “Spoils of War,” EPIC is an absolute beast.
“Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode,” Eriksen says of the sessions. “We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there’s always another idea popping up.”
VLTIMAS brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize EPIC. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the “impossible triangle,” projects effortlessly. In EPIC, the group will dominate. There’s no escape from “Miserere,” “Mephisto Manifesto,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus.” Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, VLTIMAS into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.
“[EPIC is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal,” offers Eriksen. “All combined into one album.”
“I want to be as emotional and honest [with VLTIMAS],” Vincent adds. “I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. EPIC is strength.”
Lineup David Vincent – Vocals Rune Blasphemer Eriksen – Guitars Flo Mounier – Drums Ype TVS – Bass João Duarte – Guitars
Recording studio ARDA Recorders
Producer Jamie Gomez Arellano
Sound engineer Jonathan Mazzeo
Mixing and mastering engineer Jaime Gomez Arellano
Mixing and mastering studio Arda Recorders, Orgone Studio
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 ) 