Dark Essence Records have announced that Norwegian Doom Metallers BISMARCK will be joining the label, bringing with them a well-deserved reputation for being one of the heaviest bands from Norway, one that has been stirring things up in the Norwegian underground scene ever since the 2018 release of the acclaimed debut album “Urkraft”.
BISMARCK’s trademark sound is an uncompromising mix of sludgy riffs and psychedelic nuances, inspired by a wide array of genres and styles. The end result is an amp melting form of stoner doom, combined with atmospheric post-rock, and with a hint of Middle Eastern folk music and the Norwegian black metal they grew up listening to.
With music that alternates between intense, fuzzed-out heaviness, and clean, atmospheric drones, and with a lyrical content that explores western esotericism, altered states of consciousness and a mystical apocalypse, BISMARCK are now ready for their latest full-length album to be unleashed upon the world.
A follow up to 2020’s critically acclaimed sophomore album “Oneiromancer”, the band’s third studio outing, which we can reveal will be named “Vourukasha” is scheduled for release in early 2024.
Commenting on the fact that they will be joining one of Norway’s best known labels, BISMARCK had this to say:
We’re stoked to sign with Dark Essence Records! They have been, and still are, a crucial part of the heavy music scene both nationally and internationally!
This is an important signing for us, and we’re looking forward to working with professional and dedicated people. Furthermore, they are people whom we consider our friends so we’re excited for the next chapter of our journey!
We would, though, just like to apologise to our fans for the long wait you’ve had for new material. We know it seems like you’ve been hanging on forever, but the album is finally on the way! We don’t want to say too much about it at the moment, but you will not be disappointed. Let’s just say that it has all you would expect from BISMARCK – and then some.
BISMARCK’s lineup is comprised of Torstein Tveiten on Vocals, Leif Herland on Guitar and Backing Vocals, Eirik Goksøyr on Guitar, Tomas Osland on Bass and Tore Lyngstad on Drums.
The band has been confirmed to appear at Oslo’s Desertfest in May 2024.
ENFORCED, the renowned metal band that shook the music scene with their explosive album War Remains, is back to stun their fans once again. This time, they unveil their latest single, “Casket,” originally part of Decibel’s Flexi series in January 2022 and now being formally released on all streaming platforms via Century Media. Watch the visualizer for “Casket” HERE or stream it HERE.
“Casket” is more than just a track; it’s a profound exploration of alcohol abuse, brilliantly connecting the metaphorical dots between a ‘cask’ that holds alcohol and a ‘casket’ that holds bodies. Frontman Knox Colby elaborates, “It’s about alcohol abuse. Cask – holds alcohol. Casket – holds bodies (I don’t know the etymology, but the synchronicity was there). Death by alcohol abuse seems obvious, on a strictly etymological level. It reflects the stupidity at the point when a person can’t understand right from wrong or real from fake. You’re dead in that moment.”
ENFORCED, consisting of Knox Colby (Vocals), Will Wagstaff (Guitars), Zach Monahan (Guitars), Ethan Gensurowsky (Bass), and Alex Bishop (Drums), has consistently delivered intense, hard-hitting music since their inception in 2016. Their third album, “War Remains,” released in April this year, is a testament to their unyielding dedication to pure, unfiltered metal. Produced by Ricky Olson and mixed by Arthur Rizk, the album received widespread acclaim for its raw intensity and aggressive sound.
The music industry and fans alike have praised War Remains for its unrelenting energy and authenticity. Decibel Magazine noted, “It’s a fair assessment; all 32 minutes of War Remains are pit-tested and mosher-approved.” Knotfest commended the album, saying, “ENFORCED’s brutal assault strikes the perfect balance of technicality and intensity, fueled by rage and anguish.”
As ENFORCED continues to evolve and challenge the boundaries of metal music, “Casket” stands as a powerful reminder of their ability to blend aggressive soundscapes with profound messaging. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to catch this electrifying single on all major streaming platforms.
Just before the kick-off their ENVY TOUR for promoting their new album “Envy”Fortress Under SIege offering a new video clip for their song “Spartacus” captured during their performance at Midalidare Rock In The Wine Valey, on July 2, 2023, supporting HELLOWEEN, EPICA and BATTLE BEAST.
“Envy” released on October 13, 2023 through ROAR Rock of Angels Records, as Digipack CD, Black / Yellow Splatter Vinyl limited to 500 copies worldwide and digital streaming/download format.
Hard rock band A-Z has just released the 11th and final video for the band’s debut, self-titled release, for the song “Sometimes“, created by one of the band’s fans.
Mark Zonder had this to say about the video and how it came to be:
“When we did our 9th video for the debut A-Z album, ‘Run Away’, we asked fans to send in clips that we would incorporate into the video. We thought this would be a cool way to see how the fans were interpreting the songs.
One of our fans, Ryan, turned in all kinds of clips that were very well thought out and he put a lot of time and energy into it…Really good stuff.
We became friends and he asked if it was cool to create an entire video for the final video from the album, ‘Sometimes’. We said ‘yes!’ and Ryan came up with a very, very cool concept that really has a lot of cool hidden gems within it. This is not a Spielberg production, but an absolutely impressive video from a dedicated fan.
We really appreciate all of his effort and hard work and we hope our fans enjoy the video as much as the band does.“
A-Z‘s current self-titled album can be streamed in its entirety at: metalblade.com/a-z – and videos for each of the songs can be seen below.
“With the prog metal pedigree here one might expect that style to rear its head on occasion, but it really doesn’t. Restraint is key across A-Z, with the band displaying a high level of talent while keeping overt noodling in check. Wolters drops a number of excellent guitar solos, and Zonder’s fills remain complex but not distracting. The key to A-Z’s success isn’t the musical complexity, though; in fact, it is the relatively simple yet effective arrangements combined with the classic, memorable vocal hooks that will keep listeners coming back. With Zonder producing the overall album, and each member responsible for recording their own parts (the members live in different countries), the songs sound excellent and the mix is aggressive and engaging.” Angry Metal Guy
“What this is NOT, in the strictest sense, is prog. What it IS can certainly be classified as “prog adjacent” or at minimum, a great sounding melodic hard rock album with progressive undertones. And given the band members’ pedigree, it’s not surprising that it contains at least some of those elements…Rounding out the lineup you have the supremely talented, and 3 time Grammy nominated Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai) on bass, the namesake & keyboard wizard of French prog band Lalu, Vivien Lalu and the Dutch prog/jazz fusion guitarist Joop Wolters. If not yet household names, each one is certainly highly regarded in the prog genre. The musical chemistry between all these players is undeniable on the A-Z debut.” Prog Report
9.3/10 review on Sonic Perspectives
“The band’s self-titled debut certainly is a far more digestible and accessible trip than anything Zonder (or even Alder) has done before.” Blabbermouth interview
“Now, we really don’t like to use the term “supergroup” these days, because doing so often invokes works that come across better on paper than they do drifting from our speakers, so let’s simply refer to A-Z as… A very auspicious gathering of powerful sorcerers.” Last Rites
“A-Z is a brand-new band (not project) featuring former Fates Warning members Mark Zonder and Ray Alder on Drums and Vocals (respectively,) Philip Bynoe on Bass (former Steve Vai and Warlord,) Joop Wolters on Guitar, and Vivien Lalu on keyboards. One would expect a line-up like this to be a powerhouse Prog Metal buffet of awesomeness, and though there are some moments of Prog on their s/t debut, for the most part, this is a straightforward Hard Rock album but handled in a massively unique way. The first thing I noticed, and as a lifelong fan of Ray Alder, was that the usually melancholic Alder is inspiring and upbeat for the most part on this album. The best part of that? It is perfect!!…Zonder has always been one of the tightest and most skilled drummers on the scene so it’s no surprise that his skills are on point, and since he and Bynoe have previously worked together with Warlord they have built-in chemistry that is clear on the album. Wolters, a name I am unfamiliar with until now (he’s a Dutch multi-instrumentalist who has done mostly solo work and worked with Lalu on his project,) is a brilliant guitarist! His solos work for the song and his solos are liquid gold and so smooth. Lalu adds perfect keyboard accents to the songs that again accent the music perfectly.” 10/10 My Global Mind
Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, the two acclaimed songwriters and modern-day guitar heroes behind the chart-topping album Death Wish Blues, have received a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the Contemporary Blues Category. The 2024 GRAMMYs will be held on February 4th at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, with Death Wish Blues in the running for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.”
Full of swagger, bravado, and superb musicianship, Death Wish Blues was released by Rounder Records in May 2023 and instantly found its way to the top of the Billboard Blues charts. A Number 1 hit in multiple countries, Death Wish Blues captures the synergy and free-flowing nature of Fish and Dayton’s musical partnership as they work with producer Jon Spencer to expand beyond the boundaries of blues, rock, soul, and Americana.
“Jesse, Jon, and I worked so hard to bring this album to life,” says Fish. “It was a true collaboration. I have been so proud of this work since we left the studio. I felt like we had something special, and I’m thrilled that the GRAMMYs are recognising it. Thank you, it’s such an honour.”
Dayton concurs, “Samantha, our producer Jon Spencer, and I, all worked hard to create something that could take blues guitar in a new direction. I’m so humbled our record is being recognized by the GRAMMYs.”
The pair have been spreading their gospel since the December 2023 release of The Stardust Sessions. The E.P. kicked off a year of unforgettable sold-out shows in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia, making them international sensations. In late November, they will hit the road with Jon Spencer and Eric Johanson for the ‘Shake ‘Em All Down’ tour. Tickets available from www.samanthafish.com/tour.
ABOUT SAMANTHA FISH & JESSE DAYTON Hailing from Kansas City, MO, Samantha Fish is one of the most dynamic blues forces in the world today, headlining festivals and captivating audiences with her guitar prowess and power vocals. The Kansas City Hall of Famer and Blues Music Award-winner performs 200 shows yearly, domestically, and abroad. Death Wish Blues is her 7th album. Austinite Jesse Dayton’s multi-decade career highlighting his work as a chart-topping songwriter, guitar hero, author, movie director, screenwriter, frontman, sideman, producer, and road warrior. The roots-rock renaissance man has collaborated with artists of all stripes, from Samantha Fish to country music icons (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings), rock & roll hell-raisers (Guns ‘N Roses’ Duff McKagan, Glenn Danzig), and even horror movie filmmakers (Rob Zombie). Jesse, has played on hundreds of albums, has released 14 solo records and is looking forward to releasing a new L.P. this Spring on Blue Elan Records.
British Blues rock guitar prodigy Joanne Shaw Taylor is pleased to announce ten UK concerts in February 2024. Planet Rock will start a 48-hour ticket pre-sale at 10am GMT on Wednesday 15 November via Planetrock.com.
The tour kicks off on Saturday 17 February 2024 at Manchester Royal Northern College of Music, takes in London’s O2 Indigo on Thursday 22nd February, and finishes on Thursday 29 February at the Palace Theatre in Southend-on-Sea.
Joanne will perform songs from her recent critically acclaimed albums “Nobody’s Fool,” and The Blues Album which topped Billboard Magazine’s Official Blues Album Chart. She will also perform new songs from her forthcoming album including “Sweet ‘Lil Lies” and “Black Magic.”
The Blues Album was voted #1 Most Played Blues Album of 2021 by the Independent Blues Broadcaster’s Association. Joanne will also dig deep into her rich back catalogue where she will hand-pick songs from her albums Reckless Heart, Wild, The Dirty Truth, Almost Always Never, Diamonds in the Dirt, and White Sugar.
Her latest single, crafted alongside Kevin Shirley, the iconic producer, at the legendary RCA Studio A in Nashville, “Black Magic” is the fruit of a collaboration with stellar artists such as Rob McNelly, Doug Lancio, Alison Prestwood, Jimmy Wallace, and Anton Fig. Watch the official music video NOW.
“I originally wrote ‘Black Magic’ for my album ‘Nobody’s Fool’ and intended for it to be an instrumental called ‘Butterbeer Blues,’” Joanne recalls. “But then, I decided to give it lyrics and transform it into a fun, traditional acoustic blues song. Hopefully I succeeded and you’ll enjoy the rootsy vibe!” The lyrics unfold a tale of entrancement, spellbinding love, and the mystique of attraction, all delicately wrapped in Joanne’s signature guitar brilliance.
Always one to push boundaries, Joanne’s union with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Recordscontinues to flourish, ensuring that her music reaches her global fanbase, uncompromised and pure. This relationship, alongside her innate creativity, guarantees a stream of sensational releases that cut through the industry noise.
Discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics when she was a mere 16 years old and subsequently invited to tour the world, Joanne’s rise to stardom, propelled by endorsements from music giants like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, remains unmatched.
With a discography boasting chart-toppers like Reckless Heart, The Blues Album, and most recently Nobody’s Fool, Joanne is unstoppable. As she readies her next studio album, fans can expect a cocktail of her signature guitar riffs, emotive vocals, and inspired songwriting.
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – BIOGRAPHY
Joanne Shaw Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16 who, having watched her play, immediately invited her on the road with his supergroup D.U.P. – a career in music was born and in the proceeding years, her incredible guitar playing saw her build an army of plaudits including Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox.
Still only in her 30’s, she has become one of the most sought-after guitarists in the world of rock. She released her first album on Ruf Records entitled “White Sugar” (2009), unleashing her distinct soulful voice on the world, and demonstrating a song writing prowess way beyond her years – the world of blues rock had a new star! Over the next few years, she released critically acclaimed albums including her sophomore album “Diamonds In The Dirt” (2010), “Almost Always Never” (2012) which featured the UK radio hit “Soul Station”, plus her final album for Ruf Records – the live album “Songs From The Road” (2013).
In 2014 she released her fourth studio album “The Dirty Truth” on Axehouse Records that featured the singles “Mud, Honey” and “Wicked Soul”. In 2016, Joanne followed up with the release of her fifth album “Wild” (Produced by Kevin Shirley) which saw her perform songs “Dyin’ To Know” and “Summertime” on BBC Two Television’s popular music show “Later With Jools Holland”. Three years later, in 2019 she signed to Silvertone Records via Sony Music and released her sixth studio album, “Reckless Heart.”
Over the past two decades, Joanne has proven herself as a prolific songwriter, releasing seven acclaimed albums under her belt, each increasingly more successful with her 2019 “Reckless Heart” breaking into the UK Top 20 Album Chart and cementing herself as one of the most important exports in British blues-rock.
Her seventh studio album “The Blues Album”, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith at Oceanway Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, was her first released on Bonamassa’s independent label KTBA Records in 2021 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts.
On April 20, 2022 Joanne received her 2nd #1 Billboard Blues album with “Blues From The Heart Live”. On October 28, 2022, she released her critically acclaimed eighth studio album “Nobody’s Fool” produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The album was released on Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records to rave reviews.
In 2023 Joanne released “Sweet ‘Lil Lies” and “Black Magic” – two new tracks produced by Kevin Shirley at the legendary Studio A at RCA Studios in Nashville. The songs will appear on Joanne’s forthcoming studio album released by Journeyman Records in 2024.
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 ) 