New single, “Conversation,” is now available and is the perfect representation of COLD IRONS BOUND sound and heartfelt lyrics. It’s a swinging call and response rocker that takes on the ubiquity of noise and pointless assumptions in modern life. These tunes have weight and are delivered with heart. They are pensive and defensive in equal measure and enduringly memorable as a result. Cold Irons Bound has established themselves as one of Australia’s most melodic bands, and “No Place I Can’t Find You” is a testament to their talent and dedication to their craft.
Melbourne’s own Cold Irons Bound is back with a highly anticipated third album, “No Place I Can’t Find You.” Known for their unique blend of Americana and rock ‘n’ roll, delivers a record that is both profound and heartfelt.
‘No Place I Can’t Find You’ showcases a variety of sounds, from joyous jangles and open letters to tracks that shout at the sky. These tunes are delivered with heart, making them truly unforgettable. The record exudes the soul of a scruffy rock ‘n’ roll bar band, showcasing the band’s savvy tunefulness, sure to please their devoted fanbase.
Ostensibly hiding in plain sight other than to an astute few up to this point, the third Cold Irons Bound record, “No Place I Can’t Find You” shines a profound light on one of Australia’s most melodic bands. This is the sound of an outfit endowed with the savvy tunefulness of Americana and the soul of a scruffy rock n roll bar band. These tunes have weight and are delivered with heart. They are pensive and defensive in equal measure and enduringly memorable as a result. The record is shot through with joyous jangle, open letters, songs that offer thanks and songs that shout at the sky. Out June 2023 everywhere on Golden Robot Records.
Mark Adams – guitars and vocals James Alderman – drums and percussion Ben Carter – guitars and vocals Sam Fiddian – bass and vocals
HIEROPHANT are now sharing a drum cam video for the track ‘Devil Incarnate’ live at Bronson Club – Revanna (IT). The track is taken from the band’s latest offering ‘Death Siege’, which was released via Season of Mist Underground Activists on August 26, 2022. Watch the drum cam video HERE.
The band recently updated their previously announced European run for this summer and added the mighty HELLFEST to their summer run!
HIEROPHANT comments: “While we are beyond stoked and ready to start the ‘Summer Terror Annihilation’ tour playing amazing festival throughout Europe, nothing feels like playing hometown shows. Hear the deafening screams of “Devil Incarnate” (live at Bronson Club, Ravenna – Italy) and join now the Death Siege.”
HIEROPHANT will be playing in support of their recently released offering ‘Death Siege’. The album can still be ordered from the Season of Mist shop HERE.
A full list of confirmed dates and festival appearances can be found below.
HIEROPHANT 15 Apr 23 Milano (IT) Black Winter Fest XIV 22 Apr 23 Ravenna (IT) Bronson Club 03 Jun 23 Helfenberg (AT) Teifljagd Metal Open Air 2023 17 Jun 23 Hellfest (FR) Clisson 2023 13 Jul 23 Torgau (DE) In Flammen Open Air 2023 03 Aug 23 Velenje (SI) Metal Days 2023 05 Aug 23 Transylvania (RO) Rockstadt Extreme Fest 17 Aug 23 Pescara (IT) Frantic Fest 2023 09 Sep 23 Bologna (IT) Arcanum Fest 22 Sep 23 Thüringen (DE) Part.San Herbstoffensive 28 Oct 23 Prague (CZ) Prague Death Mass
Track-list 1. Mortem Aeternam (1:20) 2. Seeds of Vengeance (4:26) 3. Devil Incarnate (4:23) [WATCH] 4. Bloodbath Compendium (4:04) 5. Crypt of Existence (4:08) [WATCH] 6. Interlude (1:09) 7. In Chaos, In Death (3:54) 8. Abysmal Annihilation (4:21) 9. Death Siege (5:43) [WATCH] 10. Nemesis of Thy Mortals (6:29) Total: 39:57
“Controlled chaos?” Lorenzo pauses for a song before finally looking right through you with his piercing eyes and slowly answering: “yes, I like the sound of that, it sums up pretty much what they stand for. Chaos with a sense if you will.”
The guitarist and vocalist of the Ravena-based band HIEROPHANT isn’t one to bury you under bigmouth statements and empty words. But when he says he thinks Death Siege is “the best thing we ever did and the one album when HIEROPHANT really comes on its own”, you know he means it.
Since their previous album, and first for SEASON OF MIST, Mass Grave in 2016 – originally described as a “vicious” mix of black sludge and death metal – many things have happened. It started with the release two years later of a two-track EP called Spawned Abortions “a good indication of where we were going but still not quite there”.
The band’s fourth full-length Death Siege was written during the first months of the pandemic, from March 2020 until May 2021, a dark period described by Lorenzo as a “long fucking long process but it was worth it. Until then, we were maybe missing a bit proper song structures and arrangements. In retrospect, Mass Grave is more grind-ish whereas the new is far more metal and riff-oriented. The songs are longer and have more things happening in them, the album is overall far more ambitious and more, well, musical
He concedes that HIEROPHANT started out more or less as “some kind of hardcore band, but with metal influences”, especially since Lorenzo has been also playing bass for THE SECRET since 2011, even if they haven’t been “very active” for a couple of years. “With HIEROPHANT, we actually signed our first contract originally with a hardcore/punk focused label called BRIDGE NINE. Originally, we had another line-up with a fulltime singer and we sounded like a very pissed off D-beat/crust band. But already in the back of my head, I had other plans. And when our frontman left in 2015, I took over the microphone as well and that’s when we started to evolve. To me, Mass Grave was a transitional record, it caught us midway if you will. But now with Death Siege we’ve finally reached our destination. And while we made a name of ourselves in the scene, I believe it’s truly the album that will take us a step further.”
Death Siege is full of war metaphors, lyrics about complete annihilation (‘Seeds Of Vengeance’, ‘Devils Incarnate’, Bloodbath Compendium’ etc.) and “fire, hatred and endless void. The sub-title for it could have been ‘impending doom’, it’s like you know something awful it’s going to happen and sweep the plate clean but no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to stop it. That’s how I want the listeners to feel when they listen to this record.” He pauses before adding with his iron will look, “one could say that the album general state-of-mind is ‘no mercy, kill everybody’. Yep, that sums it up about right.” Are you ready?
Recording Line-up: Lorenzo Gulminelli: Rythm guitars, vocals Fabio Carretti: Lead guitars Gianmaria Mustillo: Bass Alessandro Vagnoni: Drums
Line-up: Lorenzo Gulminelli: Rythm guitars, vocals Fabio Carretti: Lead guitars Gianmaria Mustillo: Bass Ben Tellarini: Drums
Recording Studio: ‘Death Siege’ has been recorded in Italy between June and July 2021. Drums at Duna Studio, Russi (RA). Guitars, Bass and Vocals at SNK Studio, Ferrara (FE).
Produced by: Hierophant & Alex Conti + Recorded by Alex Conti Mixed by: Alex Conti
On 17 June 2023, the first album of DIRTY BLADE, “Dirty Business” will be released via Wanikiya Record, available in digital format, on all the best music stores and also as an Audio CD version. On the same day, the official video clip of the track ‘Not Alone’ including in the album will also be released.
Dirty Blade was born in 2018 thanks to an idea of guitarist/singer Simone. When it came time to hire a drummer, the choice immediately fell on Alessandro, who had already played with him in another band. The line-up was completed on bass first with Lorenzo and then definitively with Leonardo. With this line-up the band recorded its first singles: Bring her to the grave and It’s fuck. A video clip was created for Bring her to the grave in collaboration with Lotus Music Production and released on 5 May 2021. In March 2022 they formalised their collaboration with Wanikiya records for the distribution of their first album, which began recording in April 2022 at Saffa666Studio.
They release the single ‘Keep Your Head Down’ which marks their agreement with Wanikiya Record and within a few months, it hits radio stations all over the world, receiving a big hit!
Golden Robot Records have released THE HARD-ONS’ new album, ‘Ripper 23’, worldwide outside of Australia. The Hard-Ons are Ray Ahn, Peter Black, Murray Ruse and new kid, You Am I vocalist and songwriter, Tim Rogers.
New single, “Apartment For Two”, is a frenetic pop-punk blast; three delicious minutes of squealing guitars, pounding drums, pulverising bass, and sitting atop – like a semi-detached ring-pull – is Rogers’ intense ‘tude-laden vocals. A perfect slab of what constitutes The Hard-Ons, circa 2023. The song was co-written by Rogers and Black. Stream/buy ‘Apartment For Two’HERE
The album ‘Ripper 23’ is The Hard-Ons through and through. Their 14th studio album, ‘Ripper 23’ is their second with Tim Rogers out front, but their first with Rogers as a fully integrated member, contributing to songwriting and arrangements. The difference is palpable, and the album will be an absolute treat to the ears of fans old, new and indifferent.
The striking cover art and album title are inspired adaptations of the crass and outrageously sexist 1970s chart compilations unique to the Australian music marketplace (no, really, check them out!). But in the hands of The Hard-Ons, it’s really just a bit cheeky.
‘Ripper 23’ is out now on varied coloured vinyl formats, black vinyl, CD and cassette. Oh, and something about digital whatever. All on Golden Robot Records.
Black metallers ANCESTRAL BLOOD are excited to announce that they have joined forces with Wormholedeath and will release their debut album “Forgotten Myths and Legends – Chapter 1” on July 21, 2023, on all digital platforms.
“Forgotten Myths and Legends” is a musical journey that explores lost stories and legends from different cultures and eras. Each song is fascinating, epical, and well-crafted to take each listener back through an old world of magic, kings, and dark mystical times. The songs consist of furious yet mesmerizing guitars, celestial and melancholy atmospheres, and harsh vocals while drumming to the call of battle.
Tracklist: 01 Forged in the Fires of Hephaestos 02 Forgotten Myths and Legends 03 Sky Fortress of Wizardry 04 Crystallized Within the Caverns of Time 05 Through the Enchanted Forest of Illusions 06 Awaiting Where Calm Winds Blow at Nightfall 07 The Cronos Stone 08 Lost on a Boundless Journey (Voyage) 09 Sparks of Light Atop Towers Deserted for Ages
Ancestral Blood’s music is described as atmospheric battle metal with celestial vibrance. The band cites influences from 90s underground black metal and old releases by bands such as Ishtar, Isvind, Arthemesia, Vordven, Trollheims Grott, Ringnevond, Summoning, and Windir.
Ancestral Blood was founded in the mid-late 90s by Charles Lucia, better known as Verigo of the black metal band Vesterian. After several line-up changes and hiatuses, the band was reborn in 2016 with drummer Void and vocalist Circe. The band recorded their first full-length “Forgotten Myths and Legends – Chapter 1” in 2021 and released their first single “Through the Enchanted Forest of Illusions” in 2022. In January 2023 the band signed with the Italian label Wormholedeath. The band is now working on videos while preparing to record “Forgotten Myths and Legends – Chapter 2”. Ancestral Blood has performed live with Vesterian, Darkmoon Warrior, Thornspawn, Empty, Sekhmet, and more.
Ancestral Blood is:
Verigo: All music, guitars/leads/bass/keys/lyrics/male spoken parts/backup screams
Circe: Harsh vocals/female voices and spoken parts
Void: Drums
Hepar: Bass
For more information about Ancestral Blood, please visit:
Iron Head Records have released the second full length record by MESSIAHVORE entitled ‘Transverse’. The band blends the sounds synonymous with many styles of metal hitting the backbone of what metal fans are hungry for these days. It’s ugly, burly, saturated and groove heavy, yet beautifully delivered. It’s not so obvious take on Stoner, sludge, death, doom styling’s make for an interesting hybrid. The band writes songs with thoughtful content, hooks, huge riffs and a few ripping solos that actually say something when played. The album as a whole is a scenic drive down an apocalyptic interstate passing through dark minds and vast red sky landscapes.
The journey through ‘Transverse‘ is an intense one, with punishing vocals and stoney harmonies laden with distortion and spacey echoes. The lyrics explore dark themes of introspection, murder, and robots, making for a truly immersive listening experience. Messiahvore has enhanced their sound with the addition of baritone guitarist Kevin Disney‘s vocal talents, alongside the band’s vocalist Bart McCrorey. This has allowed the band to create an even fuller and more dynamic sound that is sure to impress fans old and new.
The album’s first single, “Hopes of the Living Dead,” is already making waves in the metal community, garnering positive feedback from critics and fans alike. It’s a powerful track that sets the tone for what is sure to be one of the most exciting metal albums of the year.
‘Transverse‘ is out now via Iron Head Records, and fans of heavy, dense grooves won’t want to miss it. Get ready to take a journey through the dark and intense world of Messiahvore and come out the other side with a newfound appreciation for their unique sound.
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 ) 