THEODOR BASTARD have been polishing up their impressive record collection. Over the past year, they’ve reissued two of their most-acclaimed albums, starting with ‘Vetvi’, followed by ‘Oikoumene’, which arrived earlier this month and included three unreleased songs and a re-imagined tracklist.
But you really need to see them live. While they’re often recognized for the mystic melodies of vocalist Yana Veva or Fedor Svolotch, who started Theodor Bastard 20 years ago, the seven-piece band are known around the globe for weaving Nordic strings, primeval flutes, dark wave, trip-hop, tree roots and even human bone into an otherworldly performance of Karelian neofolk.
This summer, Theodor Bastard are celebrating the reissues of ‘Vetvi’ and ‘Oikoumene’ with two special outdoor concerts. They’ll start by visiting Menshikov’s Garden in their native St. Petersberg on July 20, before gracing the VK Summer Stage in Moscow on July 27. Both shows will feature new choreography and songs that the band has never performed live, including “Mama Terra”.
Palma Music Studios, October 2022. The funky four from Sweden are spotted drinking margaritas and Estrella Damms during the sunny days but after siesta, they are layin’ down the loud foundation of what will be the eighth ELECTRIC BOYS album.
“The pandemic inspired to some more serious subjects so “Ups!de Down”, released in 2021, was a slightly darker album, even though hope was always present”, says Conny Bloom, the band’s main songsmith.
“Grand Explosivos”, the new Electric Boys album, to be released September 15th via Mighty Music is, however, quite the opposite. It might actually be that the boys are throwing the best party since “Groovus Maximus”! The album is a hard rockin’, melodic, full of funk & fun adventure, which has become somewhat of the band’s trademark sound.
The first single “I’ve Got A Feelin’” showed the way into the classic rock arenas while the follow up single “Domestic Blitz” kicks like a mule and won’t take no prisoners. (Or maybe it will? Check out the video and decide for yourself:). The boys are clearly enjoying playing together and we are looking forward to one helluva party album at the end of the summer.
“Grand Explosivos” will be released on, CD LP (gatefold 180gr black vinyl, and 180gr turquoise vinyl, limited to 500) and digital formats via Mighty Music on September 15th, 2023. Pre-orders are available here.
“Grand Explosivos” tracklist:
1. When Life Treats You Funky 2. Better Safe Than Sober 3. I’ve Got A Feelin’ 4. And The Band Played On (Part 1) 5. Domestic Blitz 6. Karma’s Gonna Get You 7. Missed Her By A Minute 8. Learjet 9. Cozmic Jagger 10. The Great Believer 11. And The Band Played On (Part 2)
Formed in Stockholm in 1988, Electric Boys is a band with roots in 70s groove rock and 60s pop and psychedelia. Their critically acclaimed debut album, “Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride” was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, The Cult, Mötley Crüe) and spawned the self-produced Billboard Top 20 single, “All Lips ‘N’ Hips” that got them heavy rotation on MTV.
After extensive touring, the band entered legendary studio Abbey Road to record the follow-up “Groovus Maximus”, which gave the band another Billboard Top 30 single with the song, “Mary In The Mystery World”. The third album “Freewheelin’” (also recorded in Abbey Road) peaked at #16 on the Official Swedish Album Chart before the band called it a day in 1994.
Guitarist and lead singer, Conny Bloom went solo until he, as well as bassist Andy Christell, joined the legendary Hanoi Rocks in 2005. In 2009 they began the process of reuniting the Electric Boys. They released the album “And Them Boys Done Swang” in 2011 and the critically acclaimed favorite “Starflight United” in 2014.
In 2018 the return to studio albums finally happened, with “The Ghost Ward Diaries”, a record that not only topped the charts in Sweden and Denmark but also brought back the distinctive sound of Electric Boys to their countless fans and new listeners. Roughly three years after, “Ups!de Down”, written already under lockdown, repeated the success but brought a broader array of songs. Now, “Grand Explosivos” promises a new dynamite-like collection of classic hard rock with the trademark Boys’ twist. A big priority release for Mighty Music.
Lineup: Conny Bloom – guitar, vocals Andy Christell – bass “Slim” Martin Thomander – guitar Jolle Atlagic – drums
French-Finnish Ghost Rock act THE NEARLIES is set to release their second studio album “Fresh Memories” later via Concorde Music Company. The first single Polska Konitski is out now and available on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/nearlies-polska
Composed by Jarmo Kortesmaa Lyrics by Jarmo Kortesmaa, Hanna Kortesmaa, Jan Djikstra
Drummer Derico Da Purificacao comments: “It is with great satisfaction that we invite everyone to come and check out the release of the second album by the rock band The Nearlies. The album is called Fresh Memories and was conceived by guitarist J. Kortesmaa and singer and bassist H. Kortesmaa. The compositions and lyrical conception are authored by the Kortesmaa leaders, whereas the guitarist was responsible for directing the project making it even more special and authentic. We hope that all rock fans are pleased by our album, with the first single release Polska Konitski. Available on all streaming platforms you can listen to our new music wherever and whenever you want. Don’t waste time and add The Nearlies’ new single to your playlist now! Rock on!”
The Nearlies was formed some 15 years ago in France. Future bass player and guitarist were seeking other options than excessive wine drinking for their leisure time. Starting with instrumental music they soon realised that adding vocals was compulsory to open the doors of local concert venues. After auditioning one singer it was decided that the bassist must sing. Fast-forwarding to 2019, the duo met their missing wheel, percussionist Derico Da Purificacao. Things moved rapidly and first album Ghost Rock was released in 2020. After a few years of practising and brainstorming, maybe a few bottles of wine, comes Fresh Memories in autumn 2023. It’s a collection of melodies and thoughts they have gone through with these complicated times On the more serious note, the guitarist had some experience from years before, playing with Mama & The Darkbreakers in early 90’s in Pohjanmaa and late 90’s with B-fly in Helsinki.
Line-up:
Vocals, bass: Hanna Kortesmaa Gtr: Jarmo Kortesmaa Drums: Derico Da Purificacao
German death-doom metallers VOIDHAVEN have issued a new video for “The Everblazing Picture”, the latest single from their brand new debut LP “Lithic”, released earlier this month via Ardua Music. Watch it HERE.
No Clean Singing hosted the official premiere of “Lithic” atTHIS LOCATION.
In 2016 a five-person expedition from Hamburg, who had set out towards the unknown, established a base on newfound ground. The crew – consisting of seasoned veterans also hired on vessels like Ophis, Fvneral Fvkk or Remembrance – claimed the place as their own, named it VOIDHAVEN and used it as origin for the distribution of their artistic cargo.
The exported wares combine various components to spread an atmosphere of oppressive, yet harboring gloom. Lyrically, they incorporate skeptical world watching, critical reflection of social relations, addressing inner struggles and spinning haunting tales. Musically, they blend a foundation of Melancholic Doom Metal with elements from Death Metal.
The first goods in form of the “Voidhaven”-EP were shipped in collaboration with Solitude Productions in 2018. Overcoming a line-up change on the drums, an unplanned break due to a pandemic and personal circumstances dispiriting the crew, they hired fleet admiral Jens Ballaschke to produce new wares in October 2022. Assorted in the “Lithic”-album, the resulting luxuries will be distributed in company with Ardua Music, beginning in June 2023.
So shoulder your bale and embark on a journey to find relief in the VOIDHAVEN!
For fans of My Dying Bride, Swallow The Sun, Hamferd, Saturnus, Officium Triste.
Tracklist:
01. Resting on Tombs 02. Sermon of Scorn 03. To Walk Among Ghosts 04. The Everblazing Picture 05. The Desolate Throne 06. Something Cruel Within
Line-up:
Simon – vocals, guitars Phil – guitars Marcos – keys Jakob – bass Norman – drums
Baltimore, Maryland’s NIXIL has today shared their new single and music video, In Thrall. In Thrall is the second track to be taken from the US black metal group’s forthcoming sophomore album, From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire, with the hypnotic accompanying music video self-produced by the band. On In Thrall, NIXIL further From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire‘s themes of liberation through abyssal exploration.
Speaking on In Thrall‘s release, NIXIL comments: “In Thrall is a curse directed toward those who, through their base and willful ignorance, believe that systems of oppression are somehow synonymous with liberation; those who would violently usurp cultures and attempt to eradicate peoples based on toxic delusions of supremacy connected to cosmically imposed trivialities of the flesh. We see you.”
Having made their presence known with their 2021 debut, All Knots Untied, NIXIL has steadily garnered a loyal following through live appearances across the United States – sharing stages alongside Hulder, Evoken, Molder, Yatra, and an appearance at Maryland Deathfest 2022 along the way. Time spent on the road served to sharpen their collective musicianship and fully realise NIXIL’s desire for collaborative unity and authenticity within the group ahead of From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire’s creation.
NIXIL’s scorched earth approach to black metal’s sonic extremities offer a radical alternative to secular approaches to, and readings of, their craft. Where All Knots Untied was an introductory affair for the quintet, 2023 sees the band further expand upon concepts of chaos gnosticism, ego-death, self-empowerment and freedom.
After solidifying their line-up in its current form, with the arrival of guitarist / backing vocalist Alden, NIXIL opted to record From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire live at Magpie Cage Recording Studio with J. Robbins. The resulting six songs seethe with a frenzied despair, whilst more ominous passages breathe with a disquieting existential terror in every percussive and rhythmically meditative trance, exactly as the band intended to capture before handing mastering duties to James Plotkin.
NIXIL’s latest offering is more than invocation and manifestation alone, From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire is an invitation for those shackled by earth and flesh to dispel from regressive human made traditions and misplaced guilt and shatter the illusion of a self.
From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire tracklist: 1. Collapsing the Poles 2. In Thrall 3. A Door Never Closed 4. From the Wound Spilled Forth Fire 5. Abyss Unto Abyss 6. The Way is the Grave
STRAY GODS have released their new official video for the song ‘Abel & Cain’, taken from the band’s new album “Olympus” that was released on June 23, 2023 as Digipack CD, Transparent green vinyl limited to 500 copies worldwide and digital streaming/download format.
Music by Bob Katsionis Lyrics by Vangelis Tsintziras/Bob Katsionis Produced and mixed by Bob Katsionis Mastered by Nasos Nomikos Directed & Filmed by Alexander Haritakis/Bob Katsionis Produced & Edited by Bob Katsionis
Special thanks to Vangelis Ziakas (Flying Dutchman), Manolis, https://rentphotovideo.gr/, Arktos Broadcast, Sovereign Event Systems
Stray Gods: Artur Almeida – Vocals Bob Katsionis – Guitars & Keyboards Gus Macricostas – Bass John McRis -Guitars Thanos Pappas – Drums
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 ) 