As the band approaches its 20th anniversary of their first release, As the Last Light Drains (Victory Records, 2003), FREYA have returned to their roots with a pulverizing new full-length album, entitled Fight As One, which will be released on September 22nd on Upstate Records.
Today the band has shared “Sense Of Doom” where they are joined by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta. “We are all living through increasingly tumultuous and uncertain times,” says vocalist Karl Buechner about the track. “‘Sense of Doom’ is about weathering those storms by staying unified with friends and family. The message is about never surrendering to negativity and holding true to core values.”
FREYA are joined by three legendary hardcore front-men on their newest album; Freddie Cricien (MADBALL) delivers a crushing performance on the title track, Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) seethes on “Sense of Doom” and Scott Vogel (TERROR) drops the hammer on “Thousand Yard Stare”.
About FREYA: Hailing from Syracuse, NY, FREYA was formed in 2001 by three members of EARTH CRISIS’ bassist Ian Edwards, lead guitarist Eric Edwards and vocalist Karl Buechner. When EARTH CRISIS temporarily concluded, members split into three separate bands; FREYA, percussionist and guitarist Dennis Merrick and Scott Crouse, respectively, formed SLAVE ONE and all five EARTH CRISIS members continued on with their reactivated project band, PATH OF RESISTANCE.
Over the past 20 years, FREYA have blazed a path through both the worldwide hardcore and metal scenes. Prominently featured on MTV’s Room Raiders, Road Rules and the iconic Headbangers Ball as well as the Showtime series, Shameless, the FREYA vault runs deep with their soon to be seventh release, Fight As One, since their inception. FREYA’s discography has been featured in Kerrang!, Decibel, Amp and Metal Hammer for their unique sound, a well-crafted amalgamation of darkened New York style hardcore with a generous dose of thrash metal stirred into the mix.
“FREYA is the perfect vehicle for us to cross over sonicly into uncharted regions, to combine styles and retell the timeless stories of the heroes and villains from both the history and folklore of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It’s an endless well to draw from”. (Erick Edwards, Final Word Fanzine).
With countless concerts, festival dates and highly successful worldwide tours behind them, FREYA have earned their place in the pantheon. Over the years, FREYA has toured with WALLS OF JERICHO, ALL SHALL PERISH, BORN FROM PAIN and SWORN ENEMY as well as sharing the stage with ANDREW WK NAPALM DEATH, DRI, BEHEMOTH, CROWBAR and HATEBREED.
Fight As One Credits: Lyrics: Karl Buechner Composition: Karl Buechner, Erick Edwards, Thom Turner, Ian Edwards, Ethan D Henry Produced and Mixed By: Ethan D Henry Mastered by: Jocko (Moresound) Photo By: Jim Wertman
Italian chaotic hardcore unit MIND/KNOT have announced the upcoming release of their new album, “Esigenza”, on September 1st, 2023 via Time To Kill Records. The first video from the album, “My Queen”, is out today. Watch it HERE.
“Esigenza” tracklist:
1- Astray 0.50 2- Broken Light 1.06 3- Stop The Blood 1.02 4- Nightmare 1.06 5- My Queen 2.33 6- Mostro 1.23 7- Witches 1.18 8- Keep Me Alive 1.29 9- Rise Up 1.31 10- Parasite 0.57 11- … Perpetual Black 0.52 12- Killed By Faith 2.10 13- Wrath 1.04 14- Eren 0.58 15- Obey 1.26 16- Warcrimes 2.44
At once prudently traditional and brazenly unorthodox, MIND/KNOT’s iteration of hardcore simmers and shimmers, flooding the senses in a fever dream of passion, violence and spectral mysticism.
Rome-based MIND/KNOT formed in 2018 and originally united Yari Caramore (bass), Simone Perna (drums) and Marco Burrascano (singer). In 2019 the band released a 7-track EP, while their first album “Eat the Leaf!” came out in 2021. Both records were very clearly inspired by the original hardcore of the 80’s, drawing influences from legendary acts such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, Bad Brains and Circle Jerks. After some time, the band started to get tired of the linearity of that original sound: moved by the desire to express something else besides anger and violence and willing to externalize the discomfort from which such emotions arise, the project therefore began to change musical direction, incorporating darker sounds and unsettling tempos and metrics. This is also thanks to the then new guitarist Roberto Cadau, who joined the band in 2021 bringing in a new range of influences and several mathcore, chaotic hardcore and noise punk elements.
On their upcoming album, MIND/KNOT embrace all the beloved history of hardcore to create something that is more personal, equally pummeling and heavy as soaring, both beautiful and cruel in different moments.
GLORYHAMMER just released their highly anticipated album, “Return to the Kingdom of Fife”, on June 2, 2023! Packed with captivating storytelling, relentless energy and catchy melodies, this album is a true testament to their musical prowess. It marks a new chapter in their illustrious career and is already garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
Now, they are ready to share some even more exciting news. The metal music scene is about to witness an unforgettable spectacle as two powerhouses of the genre, GLORYHAMMER and Beast in Black, announce their long-awaited co-headline tour for 2024. Aptly named Glory and the Beast, this tour promises to be a monumental experience for metal enthusiasts worldwide. The tour will be further supported by the remarkable Brothers of Metal.
Glory and the Beast – Double Headline Tour 2024 will kick off in January/February 2024, igniting stages across Europe with its unstoppable force. This is an opportunity for metal enthusiasts to witness two of the most exciting bands in the genre coming together for an unmissable spectacle.
Ticket sales for the Glory and the Beast – Double Headline Tour 2024 will commence on the 9th of June at 4 pm. Fans are advised to secure their tickets early to avoid disappointment, as demand is expected to be extremely high.
GLORY AND THE BEAST – DOUBLE HEADLINE TOUR 2024 SPECIAL GUEST: BROTHERS OF METAL
10.01.24 SE-Stockholm, Arenan Fryshuset 11.01.24 NO-Oslo, Sentrum Scene 12.01.24 DK-Roskilde, Epic Fest 13.01.24 DE-Hamburg, Edel Optics Arena 14.01.24 NL-Tilburg, 013 Poppodium 16.01.24 CH-Zurich, Volkshaus 17.01.24 IT-Milan, Alcatraz 19.01.24 DE-Munich, TonHalle 20.01.24 HU-Budapest, Barba Negra Red Stage 21.01.24 CZ-Zlin, Sports Hall Datart 23.01.24 AT-Vienna, Gasometer 24.01.24 PL-Krakow, Studio 26.01.24 DE-Leipzig, Haus Auensee 27.01.24 DE-Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle 28.01.24 DE-Wiesbaden, Schlachthof 30.01.24 FR-Paris, Olympia 01.02.24 BE-Brussels, Ancienne Belgique 02.02.04 DE-Geiselwind, Eventhalle 03.02.04 DE-Stuttgart, Wagenhallen 04.02.04 DE-Saarbrücken, Garage 06.02.04 UK-London, O2 Forum Kentish Town
Watch below the music video for GLORYHAMMER’s latest single, “Wasteland Warrior Hoots Patrol”.
In the not-so-distant Kingdom of Fife, there lies a band like no other. GLORYHAMMER embodies the very essence of power metal and epic fantasy, with a sound so majestic and grandiose that it could only be the work of the gods themselves. Led by the manifestation of extreme trumpet-chaos in battle-mode, GLORYHAMMER has been waging a never-ending fight against the forces of Zargothrax since their formation in 2010.
With their soaring hyper-melodies, multitudinous orchestra-explosions and thunderous nano-guitar riffs, they have become the undisputed champions of the power metal scene, drawing in legions of fans from across the galaxy with their epic tales of intergalactic warfare, cosmic sorcery, and heroic deeds. It has been four years since the band’s last release, but the wait is finally over for another massive onslaught of power metal greatness. This is an album for the ages – power metal shines brighter than ever on the thrilling and action-packed Return to the Kingdom of Fife!
GLORYHAMMER on the album: “Hoots! We are proud to teleport you all to as-of-yet unknown mountaintops of extreme-trumpet-confoundry with this new opus! Several orchestras were maimed during the production process, which we think reflects adequately in the hyper-sonic nano-recordings we have inscribed on disc for you to peruse. Many battles await!”
Maleficus Geminus (Colossus Matrix 38B – Ultimate Invocation of the Binary Thaumaturge)
Make sure to catch GLORYHAMMER live in 2023! Festival Dates: 10.06.23 ES – Z! Live Rock Fest / Zamora 13.08.23 BE – Alcatraz / Kortrijk 15.08.23 AT – Dornbirn / Conrad Sohm 16.08.23 DE – Burglenfeld / VAZ 17.08.23 CZ – Rock Castle / Moravsky Kumlov 18.08.23 DE – Koblenz / Festung Ehrenbreitstein 19.08.23 NL – Dynamo Metalfest / Eindhoven 20.08.23 CH – Rock The Lakes / Lake Morat 15.09.23 Baltic Sea – Full Metal Cruise / Kiel
GLORYHAMMER is: Sozos Michael (Angus McFife) – Vocals Paul Templing (Ser Proletius) – Guitars James Cartwright (The Hootsman) – Bass Michael Barber (Zargothrax) – Keyboards Ben Turk (Ralathor) – Drums
After announcing his new project PERRACIDE and his debut album “Underdog”, Perra Karlsson is now back with his friends and a brand new song. The track will also be released as a promotional video. “Silence The World” has that commanding, authoritative riffing that is the footprint of the Swedish underground scene, plus a few extras. One of them is the fact that Perra himself takes the lead vocalist role in it – the only track in the album where this happens. The second one is Hempa Brynolsson (guitar player in Darkened, AngelBlast, and Ordo Infernus, ex-Excruciate) handling some non-usual (on this album) keys and piano to add an extra layer to the song. The third one is Simon Wizén (bassist in Nominon and guitarist/vocalist in Valkyrja and Die Hard, ex-Ondskapt) handling bass, guitars, and backing vocals and given free rein in the compositional department, alongside Perra himself.
Today Metal Shock Finland has a pleasure to premiere ‘Silence The World’ official video for Finland, enjoy it below:
All this makes “Silence The World” one of the most interesting tracks on “Underdog” – one that adds extra dramatic feeling and darkness to the record and which sets Perracide as one of the most interesting things to happen to extreme metal this year.
“Lyrically “Silence the world” is about telling all the people I hate to go fuck themselves, at least that’s the short version”, Perra Karlsson comments about the song. “If you dare to dig deeper, the lyrics are extremely personal to me as an individual. It actually took me half a century to reach this spot, and it has been a wild and almost inhuman ride, with tons of health issues and “You will never make it!” along the way”.
“Thanks to all my brothers and sisters of Metal around the globe that I have recorded and performed music with the last couple of decades; You know who you are, and you all kick ass the whole lot of ya’s – And yes, you better believe it; WE ARE PACK!”
“You have all been so damn supportive and sometimes pushed me (almost too hard) through the rough times, but hey, no one ever said brotherhood is easy. To give up wasn’t really an option, so to speak. Now I can actually say that it felt good to grow a pair and tell the rest of the world, who wasn’t supporting me, to FUCK OFF! Even though it often led to conflicts and watching the enemies lining up ready to punch the shit out of me at times. Fight fire with fire. Don’t fear the ones who think they’re better than you, spit in their faces and make them envy you. There’s no surrender when you’re aiming for the top, right?”, he concludes.
Anyone that’s kept half an ear to the extreme metal underground during the past three decades should be familiar with drumming phantom lord Perra Karlsson. From his humble beginnings in Wortox/Altar via early standout bands like Suffer and Nasum to showcasing his unique drumming in legendary acts like Nominon, In Aeternum, Benediction and Deströyer 666 and also lending his blasting skills to newer acts like Kvaen, Devil’s Force and AngelBlast the list of his contributions to metal seems almost endless.
After a lifetime spent in the underground with a never fading dedication to the craft of metal his name has become synonymous with hard work and a true love for all things metal. Frustrated over the lack of activity in his current regular bands at the time, Perra used his discontent to fuel the fire of creativity and as a result “Underdog” was born.
To realise this monster of an album the drum-lord extraordinaire issued a call to arms that was answered by a squadron of legends from the metal underground seldom gathered on one record. With stand-out performances from the likes of Marc Grewe (Morgoth, Insidious Disease), Hellbutcher (Nifelheim), John Zwetsloot (Dissection, Cardinal Sin), Anders Jacobsson (Nasum, Necrony, Axis of Despair), Dave Hunt (Benediction, Anaal Nathrakh), Jörgen Sandström (Grave, Entombed, Torture Division), Simon Wizén (Valkyrja, Die Hard), K.K. Warslut (Deströyer 666, Bestial Warlust) and Gord Olson (Darkened) this beast will not be denied nor disappoint.
The album consists of fourteen slabs of undeniable metal magic. Five of the tracks being new and original songs showcasing the versatility and extremity of Perra and his chosen brothers in arms. Perra initially wrote and demoed the songs on drums only, so that the involved musicians could write guitar riffs and add leads and finally the guests vocalists and bassists could complete them with their parts. The remaining tracks are fresh renditions of Perra’s favorite tracks from the myriad of legendary acts he’s been a part of that really drives the point home. This is 45 minutes of crushing metal that nobody should miss out on!
Brace yourselves and prepare to suffer the Perracide!
“Underdog” will be released on CD, LP (180gr black vinyl, limited to 300) and digital formats via Emanzipation Productions on June 23rd, 2023.
Any Given Sin will release their debut album’ War Within’ via Mascot Records (Black Stone Cherry, Fozzy) worldwide on 4th August. To celebrate, they have revealed a new song, “Cold Bones,” which you can listen to here.
Inner struggle incites outward expression. Any Given Sin transfigures conflict into caustic and catchy hard rock. The Maryland quartet—Victor Ritchie [vocals], Mike Conner [guitar], Rich Stevenson [bass], and Mike Showalter [drums]—encase these unrestrained emotions inside arena-size anthems with bold hooks and bludgeoning riffs.
Representing the emotional apex of the record, “Cold Bones” leans on soft piano. These icy tones underscore a vulnerable yet vital vocal performance just before the distortion kicks back in underneath the refrain. As a military vet often faced with the horrible news of duty’s permanent scars, Ritchie dug deep inside himself for the lyrics. “I wrote it by myself on the piano,” he recalls. “I was in the military for seven years, and I had a lot of friends commit suicide. We lost too many of our buddies in Iraq and Afghanistan. This song is about those people, but it could be for anyone who has lost a friend under similar circumstances.”
Amassing nearly 20 million streams to date, buzzing at US radio, and building a devout fan base, the group perfected this pummeling and powerful style on their forthcoming Mascot Records debut. The band recently revealed the videos for “Still Sinking” and “Calm Before the Storm” from the album. In 2021, “Dynamite” and “Insidious” both cracked the Top 40 at Active Rock radio in addition to catapulting to #1 on SiriusXM, overtaking the fan-powered “Big’ Uns Countdown.” Along the way, they have toured with Steel Panther, Crobot and Shaman’s Harvest, gracing festival stages and headline slots and building a formidable stage presence.
Produced by Chris Dawson, keyboards augment the verses’ cinematic scope as guitars power up an undeniable chant, “I’m making no apologies.” “It’s a song about perseverance,” says the frontman Victor Ritchie. “You’re standing up to whatever’s in front of you.” Guitarist Mike Conner adds, “You’re not just surviving a traumatic experience though – You’re also becoming stronger because of it.”
On the title track, Ritchie’s arresting delivery echoes before the chorus issues a proclamation, “This is the war within.” “It’s a free speech song,” reveals Ritchie. Ramping up the momentum, sirens herald the onset of the roaring “House On Fire.” With a one-two punch of raw riffing and walloping bass, the momentum bleeds into another chantable chorus. “It’s about the condition of the world,” notes Conner. “It’s just getting worse and worse. The fire’s growing bigger. Will we ever be able to put it out?” “We’re all trapped in it,” agrees Ritchie.
Presenting a 360-degree vision, the album cover holds a special significance for the band as it pairs their respective star signs with a personal vice. “It essentially displays the Seven Deadly Sins,” Mike goes on. “We’re admitting to the sin we struggle with on the cover. It speaks to our band name as well.”
By sharing their trials, tribulations, and triumphs, Any Given Sin ultimately offers a communal catharsis for fans to share. “When you listen to us, we hope you feel like you’re not alone,” Ritchie leaves off. “No matter what you’re dealing with, the music shows a reminder that someone hears you.” “A lot of it may sound dark and depressing, but there’s a positive message,” Conner concludes. “Keep going.”
Whenever EVERGREY’s Tom S. Englund and acclaimed US-based pianist/composer Vikram Shankar (Redemption, Lux Terminus) come together to merge their creativity, the result is magical. Now arrives the next product of this fateful encounter, as the Swedish-American cinematic-pop duo releases its third album, Dormant, on September 1, 2023 via Napalm Records. Continuing on the atmospheric path of Scandinavian melancholy charted on their previous full-lengths, Nectar (2022) and Satellites (2020), Dormant, the new brainchild of Englund and Shankar, features stunning piano melodies, atmospheric keyboards, lush and expansive soundscapes, and hauntingly beautiful and intense vocals.
SILENT SKIES’ third offering is melancholic and calming, yet effervescent and incandescent, expanding the duo’s sonic universe in every direction – it is the result of brave sonic experimentation married to the tastefully artistic aesthetic that defines the group. Throughout the varied peaks and valleys of their compositions, it is their powers of expression, and reflection on the human experience – in their own words, “conversations with life, about life” – that give their music the power to speak to a vast array of lived experiences, and reach people with diverse tastes, as long as they are interested in appreciating art as a reflection of life itself.
SILENT SKIES add: “We are thrilled to present Dormant, our third record, crafted with immense joy and offered with satisfaction and eagerness to share our heartfelt dedication over the past 18 months. With Dormant, SILENT SKIES propels itself further into more uncharted territory, embarking on a journey whose destination remains unknown even to us. Like passengers on a train, we embrace the excitement and exhilaration of the ride, relishing in the uncertainty of our future direction. The freedom of creativity is a vital source of energy for us during the composition and production journey for our music. Within Dormant, you will find a multitude of intricate details, a plethora of musical landscapes, and an abundance of concepts, all waiting for you to dive in and explore their depths. At its core, Dormant delves into the awakening of a sleeping or forgotten consciousness, urging it to be present and take action in the now.
It is an album that, from the early stages, felt like a profound conversation with life, about life. It encapsulates the ongoing dialogue and introspection with our inner selves as we seek equilibrium and harmony. Ultimately, it is a realization that what we yearn for is a stillness of the mind and soul — a sense of contentment, pride, and connection with what is our most authentic selves. We believe that you will find resonance with many of the reflections we share within Dormant, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this dialogue with all of you.
This journey has only just begun. Let’s awaken together.
Before diving into ten tracks of gripping original compositions, the duo has unveiled their very own interpretation of Iron Maiden’s opus “The Trooper”, served in a never-before-heard auditory atmosphere.
After putting their stamp on Linkin Park’s “Numb” earlier this year, hymnic “The Trooper” marks the next out of three bonus tracks closing the new album. The song lines up with a harmonizing visualizer video, underlining the incomparable atmosphere SILENT SKIES create with their inimitable soundscapes that speak directly to one’s soul.
SILENT SKIES on “The Trooper”: “When you work on a world-class song like ‘The Trooper’, you approach it with the utmost respect, eager to honor its essence and craftsmanship. Everyone who hears it recognizes its iconic lyrics and knows that it has stood the test of time – it’s a true classic. As for us, we never quite reflected deeply on the song’s severe lyrics, instead focusing on its raw energy. However, given the current state of the world, we cannot ignore how poignant and relevant its words have become. It’s disheartening to acknowledge that they are more pertinent now than ever before. Nonetheless…
We’ve poured our hearts into this song, with the hope of honoring its message and evoking a different emotional response from listeners than the original. As we embarked on the remaking process, we couldn’t help but again be moved by the lyrics and their stark reminder of the horrors of war. The thought of those in the world who cannot feel safe, who have lost loved ones, and who have no certainty about their future, weighs heavily on our minds. We have strived to infuse our rendition of “The Trooper” with the same intensity and passion as the original, while also recognizing and honoring its powerful message.”
Floor Jansen (Nightwish) “Music can take you by the hand and into a world away from your own. This song took me; the melodies, Tom’s amazing voice, the lyrics. The perfect combination left me in tears. A beautiful song that touches, and will surely help us to not forget what happens daily on this world, right next to our own little world.”
Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity) “Another stellar reimagining of a classic from Silent Skies. The layers of melancholy over this iconic song really highlights the strength of the original as well as the skill and craft behind this version from Vikram and Tom.Who would have thought this could be done in such a way? Absolutely incredible!”
Hannes van Dahl (Sabaton) “To make an awesome song more awesome is rarely achieved… to me the emotion of an actually quite serious topic is felt and present, and the lyrics really shine through together with the arrangement to indeed make this an awesome version.”
Dormant tracklisting:
Construct
New Life
Churches
Just Above The Clouds
Reset
Tides
The Real Me
Light Up The Dark
Dormant
The Last On Earth
The Trooper (Bonus Track)
Dancing In The Dark (Bonus Track)
Numb (Bonus Track)
The opening track “Construct” calls for the listener to join the two musicians on a soulful journey, building the atmosphere to a sublime conclusion, before continuing along a darker, brooding and intense path in the yearning “New Life”. Englund’s heartfelt vocals speak directly to the soul, while balancing perfectly with Shankar’s thoughtful instrumentation, driven by tender piano and elevated by an engulfing production. The harmonious “Churches” and pop-inflected “Just Above The Clouds” – the latter featuring a compelling solo from Leprous/Musk Ox cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne – build up to a mesmerizing daydream, leaving the listener lost in the wonderful nuances that Dormant has to offer.
The calming and profoundly introspective “Reset” and “Tides” envelop the listener in seemingly endless melancholic soundscapes, whereas the poignant “The Real Me” is imbibed with electronic hues that yield a brighter, more modern atmosphere. Throughout these tracks, SILENT SKIES’ work is characterized by deep and thoughtful expansion of their signature sound, where analog synthesizers, intricate programming, meticulously constructed soundscapes, and stately piano melodies are paired with the introspective vocals of Englund, who delivers profound lyrical sentiments with thoughtfully expressive character. The deeply moving “Light Up The Dark” and the serene atmosphere of the title track “Dormant” are followed by the glimmering hues of “The Last On Earth”, the last original composition on Dormant, in which modular synth loops and moody piano reflections are paired with chiming guitars that encapsulate the duo’s commitment to the development of their sound.
SILENT SKIES are: Tom S. Englund – Vocals, Production Vikram Shankar – Piano, Keyboards, Production
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 ) 