Today SCAR SYMMETRY release their first studio album in nine years, in the form of The Singularity (Phase II – Xenotaph). To coincide with the album’s release the band have also released a video for the track ‘Overworld’.
On the release of the album, guitarist Per Nilsson comments, “At long last, Phase II is here – and everywhere! Whether CD, vinyl or streaming platform is the preferred way of quenching your musical thirst, you may now have a sip of the furious symphonic whirlwind ‘Altergeist’, drink in the crushing juggernaut ‘Gridworm’, chug down the eight-string extravaganza ‘Hyperborean Plains’ and savour the intoxicating final track ‘Xenotaph’! Bottoms up, cheers!!!””
10.06.23 NL – Leeuwarden, Into The Grave 22.07.23 FI – Laukaa, John Smith Open Air 28.-29.07.23 DE – Heimburg, HMN Festival 03.-05.08.23 SE – Rejmyre, Skogsröjet 12.08.23 FIN – Helsinki, Hellsinki Metal Festival 21.09.23 DE – Hamburg, Logo 23.09.23 DE – Hannover, Bei Chez Heinz 24.09.23 DE – Leipzig, Hellraiser 25.09.23 DE – Nuremberg, Hirsch 26.09.23 DE – Munich, Backstage 07.10.23 DK – Køge, Køge Metal Festival 27.10.23 NO – Brekstad, Ørland Rockfest 2023
Formed in Sweden in 2004, SCAR SYMMETRY were a unique proposition from the start. Although clearly owing a debt to the pioneering melodic death metal bands of the ‘90s, guitarist Per Nilsson and his comrades were walking their own evolutionary path. As showcased on 2005 debut Symmetric In Design, the band were driven by fervently progressive and proudly melodic instincts, infusing their often brutal riffs and arrangements with wild, futuristic atmospherics, and sublime, emotional melodies that always hit their targets with ruthless precision.
As SCAR SYMMETRY moved forward, their music continued to evolve in tandem. They joined forces with Nuclear Blast Records for 2006’s breakthrough opus Pitch Black Progress (2006), and have since amassed an extraordinary catalogue of forward-thinking but irrevocably crushing modern metal. From the glossy, hyper-melodic barrage of Holographic Universe (2008), to the immaculate thunder of The Unseen Empire (2011) and the astonishing, cosmic odyssey that is The Singularity (Phase I – Neohumanity) (2014). the Swedes have blown minds and enhanced their reputation with every artistic step.
SCAR SYMMETRY is Roberth Karlsson – Vocals Lars Palmqvist – Vocals Per Nilsson – Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Benjamin Ellis – Guitars Henrik Olsson – Drums
Following their much-acclaimed, latest studio album, The Return Of The Shadow (released June 2022 via Napalm Records), Finnish fantasy metal masters BATTLELORE strike back with the release of a new lyric video for the song “True Dragons”!
The Return Of The Shadow marked the band’s first offering in more than ten long years, and immediately showcased the incredible energy the Tolkien-inspired band delivered on their seventh album; making this record one of their strongest, heaviest and best works to date. Named after Tolkien’s original, shelved title for his legendary epic fantasy novel, Fellowship of the Ring, BATTLELORE’s latest album features nine Middle-earth themed songs, shining with the blistering aura the band has become known and loved for. Enter “True Dragons”, a song the band has just unleashed a brand new lyric video for!
The “True Dragons” clip is now premiering HERE:
“Behold the True Dragons! Creatures of legend and fearsome power! Born of fire and magic, imbued with the wisdom of the ages,”the band comments.“These mysterious beasts played a huge part in the history of Middle-earth and surely deserve a mighty hymn! Let us stand in awe of these magnificent guardians of the skies and keepers of ancient knowledge!”
The Return Of The Shadow was recorded by Janne Saksa at the Sound Supreme Studios, Finland, and was mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studios. As a special gift to fans, the album includes a bonus EP, entitled Lost Lands, that features three songs written around the beginning of the band’s hiatus that, soundwise, are different from the tracks on the main album.
The Return Of The Shadow was released on June 3, 2022 through Napalm Records! You can order your copy of this epic, must-have fantasy metal album at THIS LOCATION!
BATTLELORE live: 10.06.2023 FIN – Tampere / Bar Hönö (with Crimson Sun) 10.-12.08.2023 FIN – Dark River Festival with many more shows to be announced soon!
BATTLELORE are: Tomi Mykkänen – Vocals Kaisa Jouhki – Vocals Maria Honkanen – Synths Jyri Vahvanen – Guitars Jussi Rautio – Guitars Timo Honkanen – Bass Henri Vahvanen – Drums
Today, with the release of summer anthem, feel-good classic “West Coast Eyes,” the Southern California-based roots rockers ROBERT JON & THE WRECK have announced Ride Into The Light, their seventh studio album, out August 4th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Packed with blistering blues-rock and sun-soaked Americana ballads, Ride Into The Light is as high-octane as it is soul-stirring, proving that rock and roll is thriving in 2023. Reinvigorating their traditional production process, The Wreck teamed up for this release with the legendary producers Don Was (John Mayer, Bonnie Raitt), Dave Cobb (Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton), Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, The Black Crowes), and guitar maestros Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith (Marc Broussard, Eric Gales, Joanne Shaw Taylor). The resulting album finds the band reaching a new level of musicianship and songwriting prowess, delivering a fresh take on Rock & Roll while evoking classic artists like The Allman Brothers Band, Eagles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Pre-Order the Ride Into The Light Album HERE Watch The Official Music Video for “West Coast Eyes” NOW STREAM“West Coast Eyes”
To celebrate the announcement, Robert Jon & The Wreck have released the album’s newest single “West Coast Eyes,” an instant classic that evokes the pure joy of summertime love. Produced by Bonamassa and Smith and featuring the renowned session keyboardist, Jeff Babko, the song was written in Nashville, TN while the band was on tour last year.
“We met with the legendary Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy), who’s written songs with a lot of great artists,” shares frontman Robert Jon Burrison. “A few weeks later we went into Sunset Sound in LA with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith as our producers…[and] it evolved into a bit of tribute to the LA session musician scene through the years, combining elements from a few different decades and wound up being a really fun sonic experiment. Joe and Josh were also great to be around, providing a lot of fun musical suggestions and of course some top-notch vintage guitar gear!”
Ride Into The Light includes the four tracks from the band’s very recent dynamic EP release One Of A Kind, which received rave reviews from all over the world and helped catapult the band’s awareness into new heights. These tracks were produced by GRAMMY-Award winners Don Was and Dave Cobb, One Of A Kind showcases Robert Jon & The Wreck’s wide range and dynamic sound, from the instant rock and roll classic “Come At Me” and the captivating, Americana-infused “Who Can You Love,” to the outstanding riff-driven roots rock tracks “Pain No More“ and “One Of A Kind.”
Robert Jon & The Wreck have had a very productive year so far with several new studio tracks released as well as their first-ever concert film Live At The Ancienne Belgique which dropped in April. Recorded during their sold-out show at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels, Belgium on June 29th, 2022, the live CD/DVD set captures the Wreck amid their longest-ever tour – 67 performances in 75 days across 9 countries. The night was nothing less than spectacular, featuring a setlist that spanned the last decade of their prolific career, from their 2013 debut to their 2022 release. Watch the official live music video for “Oh Miss Carolina” NOW and purchase/stream Live At The Ancienne BelgiqueHERE.
Prolific songwriters with a wealth of new material who refuse to be constrained by traditional release strategies, the band’s new partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records affords them the opportunity to work with the world’s top producers and release a steady stream of high-quality singles on an ongoing basis, cutting through the industry chaos and ensuring new music is accessible to fans as intended.
Reigning from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck take the Southern rock sound from the east coast and make it their own. Since their inception in 2011, these native Californians; Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), and Warren Murrel (bass) have been electrifying audiences all over the world with their soaring guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, and memorable tunes. Recently, keyboardist Jake Abernathie joined the band as an official member as they continue to tour and record in the studio. Simply put, it is difficult to ignore when these talented musicians take the stage.
Ride Into The Light – Album Track listing
1. Pain No More 2. Who Can You Love 3. Come At Me 4. One Of A Kind 5. Bring Me Back Home Again 6. West Coast Eyes 7. Don’t Look Down 8. Ride Into The Light
The Main Thing presents in association with DHP Family, Regular Music, The Gig Cartel, and The Brook Presents
ROBERT JON & THE WRECK SEPTEMBER 2023 UK TOUR PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM WWW.ROBERTJONANDTHEWRECK.COM
EXETER, PHOENIX WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, 2023
NOTTINGHAM, RESCUE ROOMS THURSDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2023
MANCHESTER ACADEMY FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2023
LIVERPOOL O2 ACADEMY 2 SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2023
NEWCASTLE, BOILER SHOP SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2023
GLASGOW, ST LUKE’S TUESDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2023
LEEDS WARDROBE WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2023
BRISTOL, THEKLA THURSDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2023
CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2023
SOUTHAMPTON, THE BROOK SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023
FOLKSTONE, THE QUARTERHOUSE SUNDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 2023
SUMMER TOUR 2023
6/9/23 Naches, WA – Chinook Festival 6/20/23 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room 6/21/23 Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad 6/22/23 Snowmass Village, CO – Snowmass Summer Concert Series 6/25/23 Winter Park, CO – Blues From The Top Festival
7/14/23 San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House 7/21/23 San Fernando, Spain – La Isla del Blues Festival 7/23/23 Maidstone, UK – Maid of Stone Festival 7/27/23 Weiher, Germany – Live Music Hall 7/28/23 Breitenbach, Germany – Herzberg Festival
8/5-6/23 Mammoth Lakes, CA – Bluesapalooza Festival 8/17/23 Sioux Falls, SD – Levitt At The Falls 8/18/23 Cedarburg, WI – Summer Sounds Festival 8/19/23 Shawano, WI – Shawano Summer Festival
EUROPEAN SUMMER – FALL TOUR 2023
8/25/23 Holzminden, DE – Weserrennaissance-Schloss Bevern 8/26/23 Herselt, BE – Gevarenwinkel Festival 8/27/23 Oberhausen, DE – Zentrum Altenberg 8/29/23 Copenhagen, DK – Beta 8/30/23 Joldelund, DE – Gerd’s Juke Joint 8/31/23 Köln, DE – Die Kantine – Biergarten 9/1/23 Regensburg, DE – Eventhalle Airport 9/2/23 Forst, DE – Manitu 9/3/23 Dortmund, DE – Musiktheater Piano 9/6/23 Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg 9/7/23 Bremen, DE – Meisenfrei 9/8/23 Isernhagen, DE – Blues Garage 9/9/23 Vollmershain, DE – Vollmershain Festival 9/10/23 Raismes, FR – Raismesfest 9/11/23 Verviers, BE – Spirit of 66 9/13/23 Exeter, UK – Phoenix 9/14/23 Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms 9/15/23 Manchester, UK – Academy 2 9/16/23 Liverpool, UK – 02 Academy 9/17/23 Newcastle, UK – Boiler Shop 9/19/23 Glasgow, UK – St Lukes 9/20/23 Leeds, UK – The Wardrobe 9/21/23 Bristol, UK – Thekla 9/22/23 Cambridge, UK – Junction 9/23/23 Southampton, UK – The Brook 9/24/23 Folkestone, UK – Quarterhouse 9/27/23 Le Thor, FR – Le Sonograf 9/28/23 Talcy (Blois), FR – Le Quai’Son 9/29/23 Penmarch, FR – Cap Caval 9/30/23 Herent, BE – GC De Wildeman 10/1/23 Winterbach, DE – Strandbar 51 10/2/23 Salzburg, AT – Rockhouse 10/3/23 Rimsting, DE – Feuerwehr 10/4/23 Frankfurt, DE – Nachtleben 10/5/23 Seon, CH – Konservi Seon 10/6/23 Basel, CH – Atlantis 10/7/23 Torgau, DE – Kulturbastion Torgau 10/8/23 Fulda, DE – Kulturzentrum
US FALL TOUR 2023 – SUPPORTING THE MAVERICKS
11/16/12 Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre 11/17/23 El Cajon, CA – The Magnolia 11/18/23 Scottsdale, AZ – Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts 11/19/23 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Resort & Casino
Swedish melodic metal rockers CYHRA return with an explosive announcement! The band are proud to announce their new studio album titled The Vertigo Trigger, which will be released on August 18th via Nuclear Blast Records. Founded by vocalist Jake E(ex-AMARANTHE) and guitarist Jesper Strömblad (ex-IN FLAMES), and with the addition of lead guitarist Euge Valovirta (ex-SHINING) and drummer Alex Landenburg(KAMELOT), CYHRAhas already released two highly acclaimed albums which proof that the band have managed to create their own identity and sound.
Now in 2023, coming four years after their last album No Halos In Hell, The Vertigo Trigger is CYHRA‘s third studio album, and their first featuring recently added guitarist Marcus Sunesson (ex-THE CROWN/ENGEL). The band released the album’s first single ‘Ready To Rumble‘ last autumn, and fans will now undoubtedly be pleased to learn that the track is a part of a new full-length record.
Along with the album announcement, the Swedes also deliver new single ‘Life Is A Hurricane‘ today, which is accompanied by a new music video and can be watched here:
Vocalist Jake E comments: “A song that grabs you from the first second and holds on until the last beat. And a fantastic video by mastermind Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film!”
Drummer Alex Landenburg adds: “Life Is A Hurricane was one of the first songs we wrote for the new album. It’s one of these songs where the vocal melody and the rhythm are tightly connected and really complement each other. It’s probably also our best video so far.”
Guitarist Euge Valovirta echoes the sentiment: “A hurricane of a song it is! It starts with a heavy riff and a guitar solo so what’s a better way to start a song than that? Hope you all enjoy it! Oh and the video is pretty damn intense too!”
Recorded in the summer/autumn of 2022, The Vertigo Trigger is the band’s darkest album to date. The album was entirely self-produced and mixed by guitarist Euge Valovirta, whilst the mastering was handled by long-term producer Jacob Hansen. This new album offers fans the classic CYHRA sound, full of the band’s trademarks, but fresh and refined. The Swedes have modernised their song writing meaning that no CYHRA fan will be disappointed, making The Vertigo Trigger a more than worthy successor to their first two albums.
And although guitarist Jesper Strömblad isn’t a part of CYHRA‘s live shows currently, he was deeply involved in the writing and recording process of the album. Therefore, the band can hardly wait for his return as soon as he is ready again.
The Vertigo Trigger tracklisting 01. Ready To Rumble 02. Let’s Have My Story Told 03. Live A Little 04. 1.000.000 Fahrenheit 05. Buried Alive 06. The Voice You Need To Hear 07. Life Is A Hurricane 08. If I 09. Fear Of Missing Out 10. Ashlight 11. Too Old For Fairy Tales
CYHRA is: Jake E – lead vocals Euge Valovirta – lead guitar (and bass) Alex Landenburg – drums Marcus Sunesson – guitars Jesper Strömblad – guitars (and bass)
After the release of the album ’The Living and The Dead’, Irish Folk-Metal Pioneers CRUACHAN are releasing today, June 9th, the music video for one of their tracks ’The Witch’ through Despotz Records YouTube channel.
Quote from Keith Fay on ‘The Witch’: “The Witch is for all Cruachan’s female fans. I wrote this song as an homage to all the warrior women out there, I felt a Pagan Forest Witch represents the ultimate in feminine power – independent and strong, you don’t mess with her. When I wrote the words, I intended that the music had to be something special. I wanted something that a lot of people, maybe even people not into metal, would listen to. One of the greatest Irish rock bands of all time is Thin Lizzy and I decided the music would be written in their style. It’s not a rip off, you won’t hear the riffs in The Witch in any Thin Lizzy song but you can definitely hear the Lizzy vibe throughout. We further added to the ‘cool’ by having Stu ‘La Rage’ Dixon from the legendary VENOM perform a guest guitar solo on the song.”
Ireland’s Cruachan have enjoyed a storied career since they took those tentative first steps back in 1992. As frontman and sole original member Keith Fay elaborates; “When I started writing music as a 13-year-old, I had no idea that I was laying the foundations for what would become a brand-new genre, Folk Metal, or that I was planting the seeds of what would be one of the longest running Irish metal bands in history. There have been many ups and downs over the last thirty years, band members have come and gone, record deals have come and gone. We’ve played some of the biggest metal festivals on the planet, travelled to more countries than most Irish bands would ever dream possible. And it has all led to this – our ninth album, ‘The Living and the Dead’.”
More about Cruachan: A man whose vision and passion for his band has never wavered in the ensuing three decades, Cruachan’s place in, not only in metal history, but that of Ireland’s musical landscape, has been hard earned and hard fought. But Fay was always confident that he and the band would always deliver. ‘This album had to be good. No, it had to be better than good. This had to be the best Cruachan album ever made. I faced a decision in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, when three band members left the band. ‘Do I call it a day? or do I press on with the mammoth task of replacing everyone’. There was no real decision to be made, I worked way too hard over the years to allow Cruachan to fizzle out. I had been writing some of the best music of my career in recent years. I secured a record deal with a label (Sweden’s Despotz Records) that understood exactly what Cruachan and my vision is’.
With the deal signed, talk obviously turned to new music. ‘The new album only existed in my head but he still pushed me to get a single out. We recorded The Hawthorn and the reaction was immense.’ Buoyed by the amazing reaction to the single, Fay recruited new members for Cruachan in ‘record time’. ‘Joe Farrell had already re-joined Cruachan on bass at the start of 2020, apart from being one of my oldest friends, he was also my rock during this time. Tom (Woodlock), one of the best metal drummers in Ireland, joined us early in 2020. I’ve known Dave Quinn for many years so was a relief that I didn’t need to audition for guitarists, he came in and was a natural fit for the band. I did advertise for a folk instrumentalist and had a few interesting applications. Audrey sent me a mail with some links to her playing. My jaw literally dropped and I recruited her right away. She has been playing violin since the age of 4, the quality she brings to every aspect of Cruachan is beyond compare, from our folky stuff to our classical stuff, it has all just moved to a level I never thought possible.’
New line-up in place, and a clutch of songs Fay felt were among the strongest he’d ever written for the band, the time came to enter the studio to work on what would become ‘The Living and the Dead’. ‘Finally, in April 2022, we entered Trackmix studios to start recording. The quality and maturity of our new material was obvious right away. There have always been elements of classical music in Cruachan’s material but I explored this a lot more on some of the new songs. The honesty and credibility in the finished songs takes my breath away. The song ‘The Reaper’ is about my dad, who sadly passed away in 2020. There was a point when Audrey was layering the strings section for this song, I was listening with Joe and our producer Mick and it literally brought me to tears. I turned to Joe and all I could manage to say was ‘wow’. I did my dad proud with that song but I think we did all of our fans proud with this entire album. I could talk about many other parts in many other tracks but you’ll hear it yourself and see what I mean. I achieved my goal. I created the best Cruachan album to date.’
Since forming the band in 1992, it’s been Keith Fay’s singular vision that has steered the band for nearly thirty years. Appearing originally under the moniker Minas Tirith the band’s focus on Irish history and mythology prompted a change to more suitable Cruachan. The band’s blend of Irish folk music and metal was unique and in late ’93, their demo ‘Celtica’ soon landed the band their first record deal with Nazguls Eyrie Productions. The first fruits of this endeavour was the band’s cult classic debut album, ‘Tuatha Na Gael’, which hit the shelves in 1995 to critical acclaim. The band began to draw admiring glances from a number of bigger labels, but none suited the band’s ambition. They eventually signed with Hammerheart records and released ‘The Middle Kingdom’ in 1999. ‘The Middle Kingdom’ record saw the band make their first international live appearances. Their third album ‘Folk-lore’ was produced by and featured the unmistakable vocals of The Pogues legend Shane MacGowan on ‘Ride On’ which was a surprise hit single in Ireland. Subsequent releases, including ‘Pagan’ and ‘Blood on the Black Robe’ saw the band join up with AFM and Candlelight records and led to Cruachan hitting some of the biggest festival stages, including; Hellfest and 70, 000 Tonnes of Metal (where they became one of the few bands to ever perform three sets, one of which featured Gwar vocalist Kim Dyalla as special guest), as well as their own ‘25th Anniversary’ show in Ireland.
After a few tumultuous years band leader Keith Fay observes; “A number of long-term members chose to leave the band, but that prompted a time of rebirth for the band and it has only been a positive thing.” Despite the upheaval behind the scenes, one thing has never faltered; and that is Keith’s passion for folk and metal music, and Cruachan’s unique way of bringing the two together.
Cruachan is: Keith Fay – vocal, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, keyboard, Bodhrán Audrey Trainor – Violin, Vviola, cello Dave Quinn – electric guitar Joe Farrell – Bass Tom Woodlock – Drums, percussion, hand clapping
Music and lyrics by Keith Fay Recorded, produced and mixed by Michael Richards in Trackmix Studios, Dublin, Ireland
Belgian death metal crushers CARNATION are back with a new full length album “Cursed Mortality”! This album will be released upon this earth on the 3rd of November 2023 via Season of Mist.
The band is revealing the artwork, album title and tracklist, but there is more… Frontman Simon is unveiling a brand new countenance. A full set of photos can be found HERE.
“Carnation fans will undoubtedly find what they have come to love and expect on ‘Cursed Mortality’, says vocalist Simon Duson. “However, they should also expect the unexpected’.
Today, the band are drawing back the curtain on ‘Cursed Mortality’ with an amazing music video for the title track. Watch it HERE
Frontman Simon Duson comments: “This song captures the essence of our musical evolution,” says Duson. “It’s an epic journey that explores a wide range of musical landscapes all while looking back at life’s pivotal moments. Am I happy and satisfied with how I’ve lived my life? Where did it go wrong or right?”
The album can be pre-saved HERE. Pre-sales for the album will start at a later moment.
The surreal cover art for “Cursed Mortality” was created by the late, great Mariusz Lewandowski, whose dark and surreal vision perfectly captures the feel of this album.
Lord of the Logos’ Christophe Szpajdel created a brand new logo and symbol to reflect this new era of CARNATION.
Tracklist: 1.Herald of Demise (04:03) feat. Andy LaRocque) 2.Maruta (04:07) 3.Metropolis (03:24) 4.Replicant (03:49) 5.Dutroux (03:48) 6.Submerged in Deafening Silence (04:26) 7.Cycle of Suffering (04:05) 8.Cursed Mortality (07:30) [WATCH HERE]
Recording studio: Project Zero Studio Producer / Mixing engineer: Yarne Heylen Mastering studio and engineer: Joel Wanasek
Line-up:
Simon Duson: Vocals Jonathan Verstrepen: Lead Guitar Bert Vervoort: Rhythm Guitar Yarne Heylen: Bass Guitar Vincent Verstrepen: 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 ) 