Finland’s hippie metal superstars EGOKILLS have set the release date of their third album, simply titled Egokills, on September 8th 2023.
”The third bunch of great Egokills songs is finally ready! There’s darkness, there’s light and there’s the balance between. We’re super proud of the record and can’t wait to get to play the songs live”, the band comments.
The album was produced by Matti Lötjönen and recorded mostly at Fantom Studio. The vocals were produced by Olli Anttila at Astral Studio.
Egokills just finished a succesful Baltic tour with two other quality bands from Finland, Black Royal and Atlases.
”We had a blast, and it was a priviledge to share the stage with such great bands and fantastic people. We belong on stage and are determined to tour extensively to support the new album!”
New single Feeble is online today. Mostly written by Pasi Viitala, it is a riff-driven song with a banging chorus. Viitala also delivers a fuzzy guitar solo on the track. Janne Selo’s lyrics tell a relatable tale about the darker moments of life.
The Egokills album is up for preorders on vinyl and CD, accompanied by an exclusive t-shirt and the full back catalogue at the new official Egokills shop at https://shop.egokills.net/
ASTRALBORNE have shared their new single and music video, Nocturneous. Nocturneous is the second track to be taken from the Midwest melodic death metal trio’s forthcoming sophomore album, Across the Aeons, and features a guest guitar solo by Steve Redmond (FORETOKEN). Across the Aeons is due out via Prosthetic Records on July 28.
Speaking on the album announcement and Nocturneous, ASTRALBORNE comments: “We’re very excited to share this song after years of intense work. Nocturneous is another heavy and high-energy track filled with face-melting solos and a fat infectious chorus. It takes the ASTRALBORNE recipe of harmonized twin guitars, blistering drums, and earth-shaking vocals, and amplifies it by a thousand.”
FORETOKEN‘s Steve Redmond adds: “It was an honor working with my friends in ASTRALBORNE to create the solo on this killer track. When they asked if I’d like to contribute it was a no-brainer. I’m stoked for everyone to hear it!”
After their 2020 debut album, Eternity’s End, introduced ASTRALBORNE as accomplished purveyors of both compellingly intricate melodicism and dexterous brutality in equal measure, Across the Aeons’ creative process began immediately following their lauded first full-length release. Commencing writing in spring of 2020, the group soon found themselves expanding upon the more grandiose passages of their sonic foundations, with conscious efforts made to accommodate cellist and composer Kakophonix’s contributions.
Recorded by bassist and vocalist Paul Fuzinki in 2021 between Call of the Yeti Studio in Swanton, OH and North Shore Studios in Fife Lake, MI, Across the Aeons was then mixed by Unnus Latif at Black Moon Recordings, Columbus, OH and mastered by Orden Ogan’s Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann at Greenman Studios in Germany. The end result of production sees ASTRALBORNE’s knack for lofty fretwork and rhythmic pummel shine among sanguine acoustic arrangements and beguiling orchestration.
The 12 tracks on offer chart a journey of acceptance in the face of humankind’s impermanence within a cosmic void, be it Fuzinski’s bellowing promise of hell itself, “chaos, death and fire” on lead single War Vessel or interdimensional overlap on Gemini’s celestial death metal pomp. Elsewhere ASTRALBORNE team up with labelmates Steve Redmond (Foretoken, The Day of the Beast) and Yegor Savovin (Fires in the Distance) on December Flower and the resplendent mid-album instrumental Promethean Fire respectively.
ASTRALBORNE’s interstellar voyage is visually brought to life in evocative fashion by Spanish artist Juanjo Castellano (The Black Dahlia Murder, Voidceremony, Coffins). For as alone as we may be in the cosmos of Across the Aeons, the band’s second album shirks the nihilistic connotations of such a realisation, opting instead to revel in the totality of all beings and things.
Across the Aeons tracklist: 1. Exordium 2. War Vessel 3. Nocturneous 4. Skybreaker 5. Gemini 6. December Flower 7. Promethean Fire 8. Star of Extinction 9. Paradigm Shift 10. The Pillars of Creation 11. Across the Aeons 12. Cadence of Sorrow
ASTRALBORNE is: Paul Fuzinski – Bass and vocals Derik Smith – Guitar Jayson Cessna – Drums
Beware the bunch of trolls from the dark north, as they are set loose today. Deep in the caves of the woods, they’ll party all night long to their own tunes of flutes, mandolins and accordions. They mostly surround themselves with clubs of meat and mugs of mead, but also liked a princess or two. Although they are some lazy bastards, they still traveled here, the vast kingdom, to play their trollish music for the good folks. Finally, after countless raids, their tales of adventure, misadventure and other fairy tales, their debut record “Der Var Engang…”, telling it all, is out today.
TROLD plays folk metal with a mischievous smile, which is guaranteed to kick off the party from inside the large, dark Danish forests. The storytelling and melodies are in focus when playing with different instruments and heavy guitar rhythms to create the perfect atmosphere. The stories grow, hiss, and are sung, while the listeners/audience are taken on a host of adventures.
Trold has its roots well planted in the Nordic soil where inspiration is found in a wealth of fairy tales and mythologies. Giants, Gods, the animals of the forest, and the marvelous world of the sea are just some of the places Trold takes the listeners to.
“Der var engang…” tracklist:
1. Der Var Engang… 2. Heksen 3. Udyrets Gab 4. Røveren 5. Vætte March 6. En Kiste Fuld Af Minder 7. Troldenes Nat 8. Skumringens Time 9. Sensommerbålet 10. Dansen Med Myrtille 11. Skovhuggeren 12. Vølven
“Der Var Engang…” is out now on LP (gatefold black vinyl, limited to 300), digipack CD and digital formats via Mighty Music. Orders are available here.
Lineup: Astór Palsson (Dawn of Demise) – vocals Jesper Myrup (Kurgan) – guitar Christian Christiansen (Sylvatica) – guitar Allan Madsen (Prevail) – bass Peter Rafaelsen – keys
Greek Melodic Death Metal masters AETHERIAN have revealed their anthemic second single ΠΥΡ ΑΕΝΑΟΝ from forthcoming album At Storm’s Edge!
“In every myth and every legend, across vast continents and raging seas, through the ages they are preserved. Looming over empires, igniting revolutions, destroying civilizations. Where the perpetual flames awoke, what was built, is no more.“
Watch the animated video for ΠΥΡ ΑΕΝΑΟΝ by HK Visual Creations (Sabaton, etc.) below.
The positive reception of their debut serves as an impetus for the southern European group to continue to improve and present an even stronger sophomore album. AETHERIAN do not rest on their laurels. No sooner said than done.
In 2016 they recorded a new single alongside a video clip called “The Rain” which drew attention and signified the beginning of their journey. ”The Rain” made a huge impact in a very short time on social media and the underground scene, currently reaching 3.5 million views on YouTube.
Listening to “At Storm’s Edge”, one notices several things: the musicians individually act both more precisely and more playfully. At the same time, the group play sounds even more exciting and distinctive. Especially the majestic melodic guitar leads, the driving drumming and the throaty growls stand out.
In the compositional area AETHERIAN apply their storyteller approach variable and song-serving. Despite considerable playing times, the album’s eight tracks come across as focused and urgent. Acoustic accents and a fine feeling for special atmospheres additionally distinguish the playing of the five Greeks.
The second full length of the band from Athens is called “At Storm’s Edge” and was recorded at Devasoundz studios and produced by Fotis Benardo (Nightfall, ex- Septic Flesh). AETHERIAN are not content with a spectator role on the sidelines, but pushes forward into the center in every respect and goes into full swing. Melo-Death fans beware – don’t be caught off guard again!
Garage rock outfit ÅSKVÄDER release the electrifying new single “Turn the Tide” on The Sign Records. Following the single release, the Swedish 4 piece is heading on a Spanish tour, spreading the word about their new high-octane track as well as their latest studio album “Fenix” (2022) across the Iberian peninsula. Dates below.
Åskväder on “Turn the Tide”:
In a perfect world no injustice exists. Turn The Tide pictures the real world were for a fact you struggle everyday. The lyrics describe this struggle and the attempts to succeed. Martin, who came up with the main idea for the song, was not at all sure that this one would fly – but after rehearsing it all became crystal clear. We recorded the song together with Misfortune live during two sweaty days in a cramped studio in Majorna, Gothenburg, Sweden. We kind of upped it a bit tempo wise from our original sketch and added some 80s harmonies to it to reach perfection. We are really happy with the result and sound of this track and it for sure takes our sound to a new level!
30 MAY MADRID, ES @ FUN HOUSE 31 MAY DILDAO, ES @ LA NUDE CAFÉ TEATRO 01 JUNE SANTADER, ES @ ROCK DEER THE NEW 02 JUNE AIBIAZAN SORIA, ES @ MANERAS DE VIVIR 03 JUNE VALLADOLID ALDER SAN MIGUEL, ES @ FESTIVAL JUDEA ROCK
Get Åskväders’ latest studio album “Fenix” HERE or via Bandcamp
About Åskväder:
Electrifying Swedish rockers Åskväder makes thunder and lightning through music. Well balanced seasoning to the sound of the 90s Scandinavian rock scene mixed up with smoking hot riffs drenched in bluesy licks and catchy refrains. Adding thundering drum and bass groove with a topping consisting of elaborate vocal harmonies Åskväder is Swedish and can be translated into ‘Thunderstorm’. That says it all. No fuss, just straight Rock n Roll.
While capturing some of the influences from the legends of our time such as The Hellacopters and Turbonegro Åskväder manages to stay in their own lane, creating their own style of rock for a new decade.
Hailing from the west coast of Sweden, Åskväder released their debut EP ”Quick Fixes” in 2018. In 2020 the band joined forces with The Sign Records for the release of their debut, self-titled studio album. In 2022 Åskväder returned with their second full-length effort, ”Fenix”. The new album takes the Åskväder sound heard on the debut album to a new level. Mixed by Kalle Lilja & Per Stålberg (Welfare Sounds), who truly put an intense vibe to the album.
Åskväder was formed in 2018 and consists today of Lucas Monryd with his lightning speed bass grooves, Tim Ferm on drumrolls, Albin Sörensson on lead vocals and Martin Gut bending guitar strings and singing harmonies. Look out for Åskväder who released their second album through The Sign Records in March 2022.
Eye is the second album from THE MON, the solo project of Ufomammut bassist/vocalist Urlo, also featuring guests from Neurosis, Amenra, White Hills, The Otolith, and more. The record has just been exclusively premiered via The Obelisk!
In comparison to its predecessor, Doppelleben, THE MON’s Eye LP is more introspective and denser, the new record built around electronic soundscapes and acoustic atmospheres that take you on a sonic journey where the songs flow nonstop into one another. While Urlo performs the entire musical foundation of the album, he is joined by a cast of special guests, with vocal/lyrical contributions from Steve Von Till (Neurosis), Colin H. Van Eeckhout (Amenra), and Francesca De Franceschi Manzoni, as well as violins from Sarah Pendleton (Subrosa, The Otolith), and guitars from David W (White Hills).
Eye was written, performed, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Urlo at The Howl, Italy, and the artwork completed by the Malleus Rock Art Lab collective. While choosing a singular genre for THE MON’s Eye is surely a difficult challenge, one could classify the album as heavy dark folk electronic.
Urlo writes, “I’m so excited and grateful for this second album of mine, under the monicker THE MON: Eye. It’s a new path opening for me. I feel these songs differently from everything I did before. I love to play them in every way, with just an acoustic guitar or with effects and layers. I’m so thankful to all the great artists that helped me in creating Eye for what it is – Steve, Colin, Sarah, Dave, and Francesca – but also, all the friends that gave me suggestions and help when I was creating the songs and mixing the album. I’m working on bringing the tracks to a live setting now, and I hope I will be on the road with these new songs, so, I’ll see you very soon.”
Listen to THE MON’s Eye in its expansive entirety through The Obelisk now atTHIS LOCATION!
Eye is out now available on limited 12” Blue and Red vinyl variants, digipak CD, and all digital services via Supernatural Cat . Order at the label webshop HEREand Bandcamp HERE!
THE MON is the solo project of Urlo, who is most widely known as the lead vocalist, bassist, synth player and one of the founding members of the heavy psych Italian band Ufomammut. He is also one of the three minds behind the poster art trio Malleus Rock Art Lab, and one of the operators of Supernatural Cat Records. The aim of THE MON is to reach the boundaries of a spiritual soundscape in which the music becomes purification and atonement, a way to bring out the world that is inside the human soul. Where Ufomammut creates mind-expanding, heavy psychedelic, almost other-dimensional sounds, THE MON is far more intimate, looking inward, as Urlo explores and examines his innermost thoughts through music. THE MON builds layers of brooding sounds which sometimes unfurl at a glacial pace and other times lurch with rhythmic propulsion, each piece distinct, densely packed, and all-consuming in their evocative atmospheres.
THE MON released its debut LP, Doppelleben, in 2018, and has since released a digital audio/video EP My Rotten Heart featuring Colin H. Van Eeckhout (Amenra), followed by his brand new LP Eye.
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 ) 