Ωblivion Gate emerges from the murky waters of darkest dreams and fates undone to shade our melancholy in the colors of the apocalyptic love song, “Acolyte”, taken from the forthcoming third full-length album, ‘Thrill Kill Noir’.
“I am insane and you are my insanity” -12 Monkeys
Love opened the door and I let you inside. You are entranced in the sinister hypnosis of this infatuation, and now you know what I am. Now you know what you are too. Peer behind the veil, through the smoke and mirrors of warm and beautiful sentiments into the nightmare paradise of intimate devotion, no matter what.
Will you be an Acolye? Or will you perish in the fires of sacrifice?
Formed as a doom metal project in Finland in 2018 by Florida-born artist and musician Matron Thorn, the music of Ωblivion Gate did, even then, strain classification as it ventured irresponsibly into experimental realms hitherto untraversed. The debut ATMF full-length album, “Wisdom of the Grave”, was a doom metal flirtation with early 90s grunge and gothic rock, setting the stage in underground acclaim for what would eventually sever ties with metal altogether in favor of a gothic industrial flavor on the 2022 sophomore release, “Flowers in the Wreckage of Dreams”, told as the narrative of a young starlet fled from small time life to chase her bubblegum dreams of becoming a star in the city of angels, all to a harrowingly melancholy and beautiful conclusion. Electro beats, ethereal synths, abrasive but purposeful guitars, and sinister vocals mingled with seductive female voices created a dark, dreamlike drive through his dreary South Florida underworld, not unlike Matron Thorn’s hometown goth industrial icons Marilyn Manson at his most fucked up and depressed.
Ωblivion Gate metamorphoses yet again, standing entirely on the merits of their own evolution into something wholly original and brazen in it’s murky darkness on the forthcoming full-length, “Thrill Kill Noir'”; a nightbound meditation of the beauty in our obsessions, in our vices, in our voyeurism, in our depravity, and the prestige in our mastery of it.
A lineup capable of live performances has been assembled to support and elevate the voidlike seduction of Ωblivion Gate to higher planes of euphoria.
January 12nd will see heavy rock act RAVENSTINE release their sophomore studio album, titled 2024, via Massacre Records. Available as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats, the pre-sale has just recently started at: https://lnk.to/ravenstine2024
Today, the five-piece is presenting a new single and music video, for the album opening track “Black Is The Brightest Color”, which “is a very personal song by Martin, who wrote about his depression illness, which he was diagnosed with just over 10 years ago,” the band reveals.“In the song Martin tries to outline how it feels when the sun is shining outside and everyone is happy, while you yourself are sitting in a darkened room and don’t know why you are feeling bad right now.
In this case it was the first time that we had a text before the music. The music was created around the lyrics, so to speak. The song is important to us, because we have noticed during the pandemic, that more and more people have to fight this disease. Remarks like “It’ll be alright” are not uncommon, but unfortunately they don’t help.”
Hailing from Croatia, Germany and Ireland, RAVENSTINE was formed during the pandemic; their self-titled debut was released earlier this year. With 2024, RAVENSTINEstep it up and present themselves even more musically mature and cohesive than they did on their much-acclaimed, first full-length album. Lyrically, RAVENSTINE charge on as they began and call up various topics, some of a darker nature such as depression, or the prospect of one’s eventual demise. RAVENSTINE‘s colour-and sound-palette is broad.
2024 was recorded and mixed by band members Hanno Kerstan and John A.B.C. Smith, with a mastering by Dan Baune at Noise Foundry Productions. The stunning cover artwork was created by Frank Fiedler of Greenfeed Digital Ar.
2024 track listing:
Black Is The Brightest Color
Easy Come Easy Go
Fly Eagle Fly
Signs By The Roadside
In The Light
A Long Way Home
Killing Spree
When I’m Dead And Gone
Freedom Day (Live Version) – [CD Bonus Track]
RAVENSTINE Live: 12.01.2024 DE Oberhausen – ResonanzWerk 13.01.2024 DE Emden – Live Music Center
RAVENSTINE is: Žanil Tataj- Žak: Lead- / Harmony Vocals John A.B.C. Smith: Lead- / Harmony Vocals, Bass, (Acoustic) Guitars Martin Sosna: Guitars, Vocals Ian O’Sullivan: Guitars, Vocals, Mandolin Hanno Kerstan: Drums, Percussions
Brazilian storm gloriously races towards the world: NOTURNALL is at the heart of the matter! This vivid power metal band is known for its restless touring through international grounds and highly inventive stage performances. Swinging back and forth between melodic, groovy and impressively dynamic music, the band displays expert levels at their instruments, moving close to the sound of Angra and Symphony X – albeit in a heavier package.
Countless prominent musicians of the metal community have already collaborated with this untamed Brazilian force: Michael Kiske (Helloween, Unisonic), Mike Portnoy, James Labrie (Dream Theater), Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob), Michael Romeo (Symphony X) and more. Among the myriad maneuvers to be witnessed by the audience were 360 degree spinning drums moving fully upside down, exotic pole-dancers in zombie costumes and an entire magic show conducted by a professional magician. Completing the spectacle, the band is well-known for eruptive stage moves, stage dives, mosh pits, powerslides and a signature plastic ball, free to play with for the audience. Better even: Fans who love all of the above, can take it back home in their pockets, as NOTURNALL are one of the few acts who make it all available on DVD – a fan-exclusive btw, which can only be bought at their shows for now. NOTURNALL is currently in the middle of a World Tour, by the end of which the band will have played in over 100 cities, 20 countries and on 5 continents.
But NOTURNALL have another ace up their sleeves: They will be rocking the stages with none other than Paul Di’Anno (Ex-Iron Maiden) on the route from Europe to Australia! Di’Anno has been going through a rollercoaster of setbacks in his life but the incredible love for metal connected the Brazilians to him while the international community helped him to get back on track. This wintertime will certainly be filled with classy stage performances from NOTURNALL and Di’Anno.
Right now, NOTURNALL are ready to delight the fans even more with the new video-single Shallow Grave from the upcoming international release of their album Cosmic Redemption. Luckily, the composition turned out to be an absolute crowd-pleaser, before it almost didn’t make it on the album. Behind the scenes of this composition lies a tragic story, as the band explains: ”Shallow Grave talks about artist struggles and abusive relationships where you give your all for your art and get very little back in return and you’ll probably end up forgotten and buried in a shallow grave.” Inside a picturesque cave, the video tells a powerful tale marked by guitar virtuosity, a huge drum sound and traditional heavy metal riffing. Unfolding the drama, the vocals move from a soft longing to a charismatic rock sound. NOTURNALL picked their longest song as one of their favorites and reveal: “We had an amazing time shooting this video in a place called Caverna do Diabo, which translates to ‘The Devil’s Cavern’, such a breathtaking and otherworldly environment, with a lot of humidity and bats flying over our heads all the time.”
The international release of Cosmic Redemption marks a pathway for NOTURNALL into global metal territory. On the CD, 13 magnificent tracks, including features from renowned artists, such as James LaBrie, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and others, deal with the cosmic turns the world takes – on the micro level as the struggles of individuals, as well as on the macro level in the shape of corruption and battles in society. The term Cosmic Redemption represents the objective for each human to grow as a person and leave the world as a better place than it was. The album was written during the disruptive time of the pandemic and motivated the band members to keep going. Cosmic Redemption is digitally out now – everywhere! The physical release will follow tomorrow, November 24, 2023. Make sure to get your copy of this legendary, meaningful album at https://orcd.co/cosmic_redemption
Tracklist CD Cosmic Redemption:
Try Harder
Reset the Game
Lie to You
Shallow Grave
Shadows (Walking Through) (feat. Orchestra by Michael Romeo)
Cosmic Redemption
Scream! For!! Me!!! (feat. Mike Portnoy)
O Tempo Não Para (feat. Ney Matogrosso)
Take Control (feat. David Ellefson)
The Great Filter
Never Again (Bonus Track)
Hey! (Live Bonus Track feat. James LaBrie)*
Scream! For!! Me!!! (Live Bonus Track feat. Mike Portnoy)*
*Digital release will feature bonus track Shallow Grave (Edit) instead.
EU + UK 2023 Nov 23 – Edinburg, Bannerman’s, UK Nov 24 – Troon, Winterstorm Festival, UK Nov 25 – Bradford, Nightrain, UK Nov 26 – Blackpool, The Waterloo Music Bar, UK Nov 27 – Crumlin, The Patriot, UK Nov 28 – Crumlin, The Patriot, UK Nov 29 – London, Underworld, UK Dec 01 – Weston Super Mare, The Electric Banana, UK
Dec 12 – Athens, Gagarin 205, Greece Dec 3 – Thessaloniki, Principal Club Theater, Greece Dec 5 – Diest, Hell, Belgium Dec 8 – Doetinchem, Café de Engelenbak, Netherlands Dec 9 – TBC, Germany Dec 10 – TBC, Germany Dec 11 – TBC, Switzerland Dec 13 – Padova, Hall, Italy Dec 15 – Caselette, Civico 25, Italy Dec 16 – TBC, France
Australian Leg 2024 Jan 16 – Perth, Australia Jan 17 – Hindmarsh, The Gov, Australia Jan 18 – Brisbane, The Zoo, Australia Jan 19 – Saint Kilda, Prince Bandroom, Australia Jan 20 – Sydney, Australia
Latin American Leg 2024 Jan 27 – São Paulo, Brazil Jan 28 – Sorocaba, Brazil Jan 30 – Curitiba, Brazil Jan 31 – Pomerode, Brazil Feb 01 – Criciuma, Brazil Feb 03 – Porto Alegre, Brazil Feb 04 – Pelotas, Brazil Feb 06 – Santa Maria, Brazil Feb 07 – Caxias do Sul, Brazil Feb 09 – Chapecó, Brazil Feb 10 – Cascavel, Brazil Feb 11 – Londrina, Brazil Feb 13 – Bauru, Brazil Feb 14 – Presidente Prudente, Brazil Feb 16 – Araçatuba, Brazil Feb 17 – S. J. Rio Preto, Brazil Feb 18 – Uberaba, Brazil Feb 20 – Goiânia, Brazil Feb 21 – Brasília, Brazil Feb 23 – Palmas, Brazil Feb 25 – Imperatriz, Brazil Feb 27 – Teresina, Brazil Mar 02 – Fortaleza, Brazil Mar 03 – Mossoró, Brazil Mar 05 – Natal, Brazil Mar 06 – João Pessoa, Brazil Mar 07 – Campina Grande, Brazil Mar 09 – Recife, Brazil Mar 10 – Maceió, Brazil Mar 11 – Aracaju, Brazil Mar 13– Salvador, Brazil Mar 15 – Vitória da Conquista, Brazil Mar 17 – Montes Claros, Brazil Mar 19 – Governador Valadares, Brazil Mar 21 – Vitória, Brazil Mar 22– Campos, Brazil Mar 23 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Mar 25 – Barbacena, Brazil Mar 26 – Belo Horizonte, Brazil Mar 27 – Poços de Caldas, Brazil Mar 29 – Franca, Brazil Mar 30 – Ribeirão Preto, Brazil Mar 31 – São Carlos, Brazil Apr 02 – Campinas, Brazil Apr 03 – S.J. dos Campos, Brazil
More dates to be announced soon.
NOTURNALL. This is the name of the young group that, in less than 10 years on the road, is already considered one of the biggest and most important bands in Brazilian Heavy Metal history. Starting in 2014, the band’s brief but intense history brought some legends of the Brazilian metal scene together that left their marks on worldwide renowned bands, such as Shaman, Angra and Project46. They also have in their line-up legendary North American guitarist Mike Orlando, who sold hundreds of thousands of album copies with ADRENALINE MOB and was listed a Top 100 guitar Player Of All Time and also a Top 10 Superstar Of The Year 2008 by Guitar Player Magazine. Iconic concerts, bold tours, thrilling music videos and guest appearances by Heavy Metal legends from all over the world, such as Michael Kiske (Helloween, Unisonic), Mike Portnoy, James Labrie (Dream Theater), Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Edu Falaschi, among others, consolidate the band as a true jewel of Brazilian Heavy Metal. In 2022, after almost 2 years away from stage, NOTURNALL started the year with a nostalgic concert in SESC 24 de Maio, presenting classic songs. They also released their fourth studio album, entitled Cosmic Redemption, showcasing the band’s best shape and also featuring very special guests: guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN and bassist DAVID ELLEFSON (both former MEGADETH), founding SYMPHONY X guitarist MICHAEL ROMEO, the internationally renowned prog metal drummer MIKE PORTNOY (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS, SONS OF APOLLO), who previously toured with the band and appeared in the video for their single SCREAM! FOR!! ME!!!, as well as Brazilian MPB legend NEY MATOGROSSO.
Hard rock band The OddEven are back with a new music video and single entitled “Another Nail“. This is the second music video and single from their upcoming full-length album Darkness which is scheduled to be released on January 5, 2024 via Eclipse Records. The album was produced by Weed and E.T., alongside Frank Marchand (Fiona Apple, Nils Lofgren) at Waterford Digital, and mastered by Alan Douches (Mastodon, Monster Magnet, Fleetwood Mac) at West West Side Music.
” Another Nail is about being honest with yourself and if you can see your own shadow, you will realize what things you should let go of to find a better place,” says bassist Weed. “When we filmed this video, we took a journey through time and space to an unearthly destination where we found aliens and human beings in an altered state. We aren’t exactly sure of what was happening throughout the video, but we believe those humans were morphing away from their Earthly forms in a quest to find renewed purpose and happiness.”
The new album by The OddEven is entitled Darkness, and we had all better strap in and get ready to fly hard and fast. The band features Chris Volz of FLAW on lead vocals, Tosha Jones (x-Saliva) on drums. The record is not just a collection of rock tunes, but more a journey to nightmares, dreamscapes, thrill rides, and butcher knives. The hypnotic vocals are strange and addictive, as the guitar work is eerie, fulfilling, uplifting, and bold. That said, it is finally the monstrous bass-oriented groove that defines this record, ignited by a hurricane of exceptional drumming and explosive hooks that bring us deep into the blast radius. Darkness is an invitation, precious and personal like a treasured pattern of body ink, and their suggestion is that we become a part of the experience by letting the music spark our wildest imaginations. They set us free to become exotic savages on distant planets, heroes in a hot-rods playing chicken with the stars, and psychedelic villains chasing shadows to the underworld. They make us want to stand on our chairs with our fists in the air, then go home from the show hoarse and happy. They want us all to keep hold of the groove. They want to make all of us Rock Gods. Darkness was produced by Weed and E.T., alongside Frank Marchand (Fiona Apple, Nils Lofgren) at Waterford Digital, and mastered by Alan Douches (Mastodon, Monster Magnet, Fleetwood Mac) at West West Side Music. The album will be released on January 5, 2024 by Eclipse Records.
Rush’s bassist vocalist Geddy Lee sits down and talks with special guest interviewer Montrealer/ actor Jay Baruchel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Nov 21, 2023 at Place Des Arts during his North American Book Tour 2023.
Rush’s Geddy Lee Reveals Hardest Song To Sing While Playing Bass Live- Book Tour Part 1
Rush’s Geddy Lee Reveals How The Song ‘La Villa Strangiato’ Was Written & Recorded-Book Tour Part 2
Rush’s Geddy Lee Says ‘Maybe I’ll Get Back To My Day Job’ – Book Tour Part 3
Geddy Lee In Conversation, a series of intimate dates across the UK and North America with legendary Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Famer Geddy Lee. The spoken word tour will see the Rush singer/bassist bring to life his forthcoming memoir My Effin’ Life, released on 14th November (HarperCollins).
The evening promises to be an extraordinary experience, a once-in-a-life-time event. After the curtain rises, Geddy Lee will give his fans a peek into the very fabric of his life: from a deep reflection into his family and childhood, to a steep dive into the history of Rush; from the determined pursuit of music, to the personal memories of his life-long friends and band-mates Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.
Joined on stage by a special guest interviewer, Geddy Lee will be reading key passages from his forthcoming book My Effin’ Life; he will then share thoughts and stories taken from his experience. Furthermore, fans will then have the chance to participate in a special Q&A, with Geddy Lee answering their questions directly.
When asked about his memoir the legend comments: “Writing this book has meant spending so much time living in the past”. Lee continues: “I’ve never lived my life looking anywhere but forward, which is why I resisted doing this kind of thing for so long. Being in a band all those years was reassuring because it was an ongoing thing. It felt like it was forever. There was always unfinished business: the next record, the next set design, the next tour. It’s been the theme of my life. But you need a lot more determination to proceed in the world of music without the comfort of your bandmates, and I can only hope that finishing this book will release me to return to what I do and love best”.
Prepare to be catapulted into a sonic universe like never before as SYMPHONY OF SWEDEN unleash their latest powerhouse, “EXIT – When There’s Nowhere Else To Run“! Below we caught up with Evan to delve into the depths of inspiration and innovation behind this edgy track which marks a thrilling evolution in their sound.
Evan’s statement: “Lee was definitely inspired by a Swedish/Norwegian TV series and one of the characters in the series for the lyrics!
This track had a different melody and lyrics for the chorus, in the first version we mixed but I thought we could make an even better chorus. I found the music very powerful and catchy at the same time, and really wanted a chorus that stood out. So… I forced Lee to sing even higher and more powerful than ever and it turned out great!
It is probably one of our more edgy tracks. More and faster guitars, very powerful almost angry vocals but still fragile in a cool way… Henrik Bodin-Sköld did a great job with the guitar arrangements! I think I leveled up a bit when it came to mix and production also! (laughs)
Regarding the chorus, Lee wrote the first version and already when we recorded it I was not 100% sure of the greatness of it. I said if it had been two years ago the chorus would have been totally ok, but now we have to level up with every little detail… So, after a few days, I emailed him a new idea I had for the chorus and we decided to record my idea as well and then decide which one to go for and in the end, we both agreed to go with the new version!
I think this is our first song we have a word in the title that we actually never sing. It is also the longest title I guess so far, but the lyrics are pretty dark and to add the word EXIT to the sentence we actually sing it makes the title even more epic and fateful.
Fun fact, this track has been asleep for 18 months before recording the vocals! We had the music and we knew we had something big coming. But back then Lee had his voice issues and therefore we let the track have its beauty sleep.“
And what emotions do they hope to evoke in the SOS‘ listeners with “EXIT”? “We want to show our existing fans that we really are back on track after dare I say… The poor response to ‘That Night’, but now ‘EXIT’ is on another level I admit that! (laughs) And hopefully, many more people will discover us! We want everybody to feel and say our favorite listener comment from YouTube: ‘Wow!’.
We hope that the audience will hear and like our slightly more powerful sound. This milestone actually started when I was mixing a single for another Swedish rock band, and they turned down my mix. After that, I said to myself that I have to level up big time if an another Swedish band turns down my mixes! (laughs)
For this track, we will level up also in the visuals and we will work with a film director who has very interesting ideas of how a modern music video should be in the year 2024! We will be filming in late November and hopefully have the video ready in mid-December.
This will be the last single before the album release in early 2024. We will have another great song and video for the title track of the album though. But this track is definitely the start of the countdown for the album!”
Stream the track on Spotify, below.
Welcome to the musical world of Symphony Of Sweden!
Coming from the North of Sweden with winter and ice bears all over the place, the music is the other way around. Grand and epic with huge arrangements, the missing link between pop and metal – this is Symphony of Sweden! Add the powerful voice of Linus “Lee” Wester and the creative talent of Pontus “Evan” Hagberg you will have a concept that brings you on a journey from here to eternity.
Symphony Of Sweden is: Pontus „Evan” Hagberg Linus „Lee” Wester
Evan and Lee lived in the same small town up north in Sweden. Lee had his own little service point, betting shop, tobacco store nearby which also happened to be Evan’s local service point where he went to get his parcels. After saying hello to each other for a couple of years, there was one day Evan had a parcel to get – which obviously was music-related. They fell into conversation with each other, a few days later Evan invited Lee to his studio. Evan: „he had found one of my instrumental tracks on Youtube and sang it with a new melody on top and lyrics for me in the studio, right there when he just arrived! I was blown away, and a week later we had our first ever track produced and completed. As soon he sang his first two words in the studio I wanted to work with him!”
The band released their first album, Inner Demons in January 2021, and their second album, Saints Of Yesterday came out on the 3rd of February, 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 ) 