After being endorsed by Arts Council England as “Exceptional Talents“, relocating to the UK and becoming Britain’s biggest Symphonic Metal export, IMPERIAL AGE announce their highly anticipated European tour, titled “Lost Worlds Unleashed Tour 2023.”
Kicking off on 9th September from Ljubljana, Slovenia, the “Lost Worlds Unleashed” tour will span France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, treating fans to a series of unforgettable performances in iconic venues such as Z7 in Pratteln and Backstage in Munich. With their unique blend of Heavy Metal, symphonic grandeur, powerful vocals, and masterful musicianship, IMPERIAL AGE guarantees an extraordinary live experience for Metal enthusiasts and music lovers alike.
Fans can expect to hear a range of beloved tracks from IMPERIAL AGE‘s discography, including songs from their latest critically acclaimed album, “New World” as well as several new compositions. With a setlist that spans their career and showcases their musical evolution, “Lost Worlds Unleashed” promises to be a celebration of IMPERIAL AGE‘s remarkable contribution to the Symphonic Metal genre.
Band shared: “Hey Europe, we’ve got some surprise for you: We are touring the EU once again – and we are starting in 2 months! This time we will ride through Slovenia, France, Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands. Can’t wait to be back on tour again! See you guys there! P.S.: Next up – the Americans. We will start a crowdfunding for USAtour & visa within weeks!”
Dates: 09/09 – Ljubljana, Slovenia – Metal Witch Open Air 17/09 – Paris, France – La Boule Noir 18/09 – Lyon, France – Rock’n’Eat 28/09 – Weinheim, Germany – Cafe Central 29/09 – Oberhausen, Germany – Killerz Fest 01/10 – Munich, Germany – Backstage 05/10 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 06/10 – Sittard, Netherlands – Poppodium Volt 14/10 – Terneuzen, Netherlands – De PIT
More shows might be announced later.
The tour is presented by our new booking agencyNine Lives Entertainment GmbH! (Avantasia, Rhapsody Of Fire, Hammerfall, Stratovarius, Lacrimosa etc.)
Tickets and VIP upgrades are already available here! (VIP upgrades are strictly limited to 10 per show and are not available on festivals.)
Tickets for the “Lost Worlds Unleashed” tour are now available. For further details, including tour dates, venues, and ticket information, please visit IMPERIAL AGE‘s official website www.imperial-age.com
LINE-UP: Alexander ‘Aor’ Osipov • Vocals Jane Odintsova • Vocals Anna ‘Kiara’ Moiseeva • Vocals Dmitry Belf • Bass Manuele Di Ascenzo • Drums
WELMOED is a project by Thijs Mulders (Asklepeion, Misanthropia) that started in 2018. The maiden’s name WELMOED has been chosen because it resembles strength, to strive for, and willpower. Musically, it has not too much boundaries, yet it sets the tone for atmospheric rock / metal most of the time. Influences may vary, from a rock – ish song to blastbeats filled pieces that go hand in hand with tremolo picking shrieking guitars with an icy edge. Sometimes lush and quiet, other moments are filled with ugliness and rage.
Thijs wrote the entire material, and to realise the project as a whole, Veerle Kiliaan on vocals (SHE!) stepped in, and so did her counterpart on harsh vocals: Bram Koller (Misanthropia). Hugo de Waal (Misanthropia) joined in on drums.
“Ask & Embla” is an album that lyrically uses themes about mythology, prevail and loss, and metaphoric references to deception through religion and such.
Music was mixed and mastered by Dion Vermaes at Dion Vermaes Audio Engineering. Cover artwork and layout was done by Jan Örkki Yrlund who cooperated with such bands like Amberian Dawn, Cytotoxin, Manowar, Korpiklaani, Týr and more. Band logo by Daniel Neagoe. Band photography by Pally JVisuals & Feey.
Tracklist:
01. Naga 02. Ask & Embla 03. De Zee en Haar Heimlijk Rijk 04: Legioen 05. Verlossend Vuur
Debut album will out digitally and on CD in cooperation with Polish label Via Nocturna. Release date is scheduled on July 28, 2023. Pre-order is available at webstore.
First song titled “Verlossend Vuur” you can listen below.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter NINO DANI is thrilled to present the lyric video for the track “Reminds”, taken from the upcoming EP “On The Surface”, set to be released on July 27th, 2023 via Epictronic.
With this latest revelation, Nino Dani invites fans and music enthusiasts alike into a world where haunting melodies and powerful rock anthems converge.
Nino Dani’s music stands as a remarkable fusion of Goth Rock and Metal, elevated by his poetic and emotionally charged lyrics, which are skillfully intertwined with a thunderous metal soundscape. Drawing inspiration from the depths of human emotions, Nino Dani weaves together a tapestry of melancholy and romance, leaving listeners captivated by his unique artistic vision.
Under the guidance of legendary producer John Fryer, renowned for his work with influential bands such as Depeche Mode, HIM, and Radiohead, Nino Dani has honed his craft over the past two years. Fryer’s unparalleled expertise in the studio has resulted in a meticulously crafted EP, where each note and lyric resonate with unwavering intensity.
Don’t miss the release of “On The Surface” EP on July 21st. Stay tuned for more updates, as this extraordinary rock artist prepares to embark on a new chapter in his musical odyssey.
Internationally acclaimed guitarist and singer songwriter Erja Lyytinen will release her highly anticipated fourth live album Diamonds On The Road – Live 2023 via Tuohi Records on Friday 6th October 2023.
The album is available to pre-order on Double CD, vinyl and digital HERE.
The first single You Talk Dirtywill be accompanied with a music video and will be released on Wednesday 12th July. The single will be available to stream and download from HERE.
Watch the official You Talk Dirtylive performance video on YouTube.
Some may argue that music is born in the studio, but it comes to life and evolves when performed live on stage. With a live album, there is no safety net. You get one shot at capturing those perfect moments and preserving them forever.
With the pandemic now firmly in our rear-view mirror Erja Lyytinen and her band have been touring relentlessly. With the high-flying Finn in top form, the artist decided to capture the magic of their live performances on their new concert album, Diamonds on the Road – Live 2023.
Speaking about the new live album, Lyytinen said: “When playing live, you’ve got one moment to get it right, and then the moment is gone. There is no correcting stuff later. It is very raw and exciting to play and sing at the same time. The adrenaline runs through your body, and everything around you affects your performance.”
Photo by Peter Verstraeten
The release marks Erja Lyytinen’s fourth live album, and follows on from Songs from the Road, Live in London, and Lockdown Live. The new album is the first concert release from the gifted guitarist to capture the post-Covid live experience.
“Diamonds on the Road was recorded towards the end of our Spring tour in March 2023,” says Erja. “We played ten shows in a row, of which eight were sold out. The band had a good flow going, and the songs were rolling nicely.”
CD Track Listing
CD 1 1. Diamonds On The Road 4:48 2. Rocking Chair 4:00 3. Bad Seed 5:26 4. Black Ocean 7:13 5. Waiting For The Daylight 6:40 6. Väinämöinen Tuonelassa 5:42 7. Last Girl 5:42 8. Never Really Had You 6:32
CD 2 1. You Talk Dirty 6:49 2. Lover´s Novels 5:13 3. Wedding Day 11:35 4. Crosstown Traffic 4:26 5. The End Of Music 10:54
Since pandemic restrictions were lifted, the artist has graced the stages of venues and festivals across Europe and beyond. Unlike Lockdown Live, which captured a key moment in time during the pandemic, the artist’s new double live album highlights the joys of once again being able to perform in front of a sold-out crowd.
“Compared to our previous live recording Lockdown Live, which was filmed and recorded as a streaming gig without an actual audience during the first two months of the pandemic in 2020, this was quite different with an interactive crowd,” reflects Erja. “The show took place at Rytmikorjaamo, Seinäjoki, in the Western part of Finland. On the night of the recording, people were enjoying the live performance, cheering to the solos, dancing, and having a good time together next to each other.”
The first single to be released from the new live album is You Talk Dirty. Speaking about the track Erja said: “You Talk Dirty was originally released for the first time 20 years ago on my first recording.” The song was given a new lease of life on the artist’s last studio album Waiting for The Daylight. However, the track has become a live favourite also for the Queen of the Slide Guitar. “It is my favourite live track. I get to play loud guitar, using my Whammy up and down a whole step-up in the most critical places, to create this heavy doom effect. My guitar playing has gotten heavier since Lockdown Live,” she says.
Over the years, Erja Lyytinen’s sound has evolved dramatically. Beginning with her traditional blues roots, Lyytinen has been simultaneously pushing forward with a hard rock-orientated style of play whilst always keeping that blues sound at the core of everything she does. “My sound has changed since the last live recording. My playing has more of a hard-rock element and edge,” says Erja.
Erja attributes some of those changes to her equipment and repertoire of trusty axes. “Since my last live recording, my live guitar arsenal has grown quite a bit. I have five to six guitars, from Strats and Teles to custom-made guitars, on stage with me. It´s quite cool to dig out the different characteristics of each guitar. I´m using my road-worn Fender Custom Shop guitar on the songs Black Ocean and Never Really Had You. I had the guitar fine-tuned right before the tour and added it to my live arsenal. I feel as though it has been a sin to keep this Strat as my sofa guitar for years!”
The songs featured on Diamonds On The Road showcase the old, the new, the borrowed and the blues. “For the set list of the live album, we had a mixture of my favourite old songs and then a selection of the songs from my latest studio album, Waiting for The Daylight,” explains Erja. “We also recorded a Jimi Hendrix classic, Crosstown Traffic. I made my own version of it by playing the song using slide! It is so cool to play the song, and, on the recording, it is our first encore.”
Diamonds on the Road – Live 2023 includes an exclusive feature not found in the artist’s previous concert albums. “I wrote a song based on artwork by famous Finnish artist Pekka Halonen´s painting ‘Väinämöinen Tuonelassa’. The piece tells the story of the Finnish epic saga, Kalevala, where a shaman called Väinämöinen goes to the Underworld. The song is slightly folk metal and sung in Finnish. It is a cool addition to the set list, making this live recording my first to have a song sung in Finnish,” explains Lyytinen.
The new live album showcases Erja and the band doing what they do best, playing concerts for their fans. “I have always loved performing live, but now, I enjoy playing even more and saying this on behalf of my band; I think they do, too. Performing live is stronger, more relaxed, and empowering. I´m grateful to be a guitarist and singer who is giving her best for the audience each night. It’s the best thing you can do with your pants on,” concludes Erja.
For further information and an up-to-date touring schedule, please visit erjalyytinen.com/tour.
Production Credits
Erja Lyytinen: Guitar, Vocals Petri Rahikkala: Keyboards Tatu Back: Bass, Backing vocals Iiro Laitinen: Drums Olli Huttunen: FOH, Mixing Engineer Hertta Hynninen: Tour Assistant Helmi Lind: Production Manager
Recorded by Olli Huttunen at Rytmikorjaamo, Seinäjoki Finland 11th of March 2023 Mixed by Matias Kiiveri in Hollywood House, Helsinki Finland Mastered by Svante Forsbäck, Chartmakers, Espoo Finland Graphic design by Jan Yrlund, Darkgrove Design Cover photography by Denis Carpentier Executive producer Erja Lyytinen for Bluesland Productions
All songs by Erja Lyytinen except “Crosstown Traffic” by Jimi Hendrix, Published by Universal/MCA Music Scand Ab
ERJA LYYTINEN – DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD – NOVEMBER 2023 UK TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM ERJALYYTINEN.COM/TOUR
Leicester, Musician Wednesday 8 November 2023 Tickets: Ticketweb.uk
New prog metal sensation TEMIC, with members of DEVIN TOWNSEND, THE NEAL MORSE BAND, SHINING and MARATON, have announced the first details of their debut album “Terror Management Theory”! The album will be released on November 17, 2023 via Season of Mist and a first track ‘Count Your Losses’ is now available in the form of a music video HERE.
Pre-orders are now available HERE. Pre-save the album HERE.
TEMIC comment on the new track: “Count Your Losses depicts the beginning of our journey. Not only is this track the one that finally opens TEMIC’s door to the public, but it also is the very first track ever written by us, as TEMIC. We have been anxiously waiting for this moment, and now it’s finally here. Join us in this celebration!”
TEMIC are: Fredrik Bergersen (Maraton, 22) – Vocals Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress) – Guitars and Backing Vocals Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype) – Drums and Percussion Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) – Keyboards and Sound Design
TEMIC are furthermore releasing other album details of “Terror Management Theory” such as the track-list and artwork. All info can be found below.
Track list: 1. TMT (2:02) 2. Through the Sands of Time (7:00) 3. Falling Away (4:58) 4. Count Your Losses (6:13) [WATCH VIDEO] 5. Skeletons (7:00) 6. Acts of Violence (5:52) 7. Friendly Fire (5:57) 8. Paradigm (6:33) 9. Once More (5:45) 10. Mothallah (7:27) Total: 58:54
Cover artwork: Hicham Hamzi
Introducing TEMIC—prog’s newest, most ambitious, and most adrenaline-fueled act. TEMIC melds the creative minds of keyboardist and sound designer Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken), guitarist Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress), drummer Simen Sandnes (SHINING, Arkentype), and vocalist Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22).
The origins of TEMIC date back to 2017, when Tejeida and Gillette toured the world as band members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. From the very first chords they exchanged, their musical chemistry both on and off stage was undeniable, leading them to discuss the prospect of starting a new band together. Unfortunately, conflicting tour and recording commitments forced them to turn their attention elsewhere for years—that is, until the world came to a standstill in 2020, and Tejeida called Gillette to ask a fateful question: “Remember how we said we should make music together? Well, how about now?”
Thus, the first demos for what would later become TEMIC’s 2023 debut album, Terror Management Theory, began to emerge. Within a few weeks after that initial phone call, the musical vision of TEMIC had become clear: Let’s create progressive music that is heavily influenced by high-energy electronic music, but arranged and orchestrated for a 5-piece modern prog rock/metal band—where, at last, the pulse can be the focus, and the vocal melody can be king.
Eager to join forces with the very best bandmates, Tejeida and Gillette first summoned the rhythmic power of their friend and drummer Sandnes. With characteristic enthusiasm, Sandnes seized the opportunity, prepared to contribute his percussive prowess as the heartbeat of TEMIC. When it came time to find the singer that would carry TEMIC’s melodies to new heights, Sandnes recommended vocal powerhouse Klemp, whose emotive delivery and unmatched intensity left no doubt that he was destined to be the voice of TEMIC. Finally, to round out the rhythm section of Terror Management Theory, dynamic bassist Jacob Umansky (Intervals) was invited on board as a guest player, gracing the album with an unrivaled groove and a signature low-end sound.
Together, this mammoth lineup is TEMIC, a high-energy, electronic-inspired, modern melodic prog metal band for the next generation.
Recording Studio: Drums and vocals recorded at Top Floor Studios (Gothenburg, Sweden) Producer: Produced by TEMIC. Drums and vocals engineered by Jakob Herrmann Gothenburg, Sweden) Mix/Mastering: Mixed and mastered by Rich Mouser at The Mouse House (Los Angeles, USA)
Guest musicians: Jacob Umansky (USA) – Bass guitar on the whole album Mosaic Gospel Choir (Norway) – Mothallah Garden State Threshold Choir (USA) – Mothallah
American heavy metal icons CIRITH UNGOL today announce three special live performances. The trio of dates includes a performance in Denver, Colorado for the first time ever as well as a show in West Hollywood, marking the band’s first Los Angeles live appearance in thirty-five years!
Comments the band, “CIRITH UNGOL legions arise! We are coming to unleash our epic metal darkness upon three US cities. Los Angeles will see our first appearance since 1988 – be there to behold this triumphant return! Our Colorado show will mark the band’s first time ever in the Centennial State, and for you New York diehards, we cannot wait to return and play for you. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable descent into the abyss!“
Tickets are on sale now. See confirmed dates below.
CIRITH UNGOL Live: 8/18/2023 The Gothic Theater – Denver, CO w/ Night Demon, Castle Rat, Chamber Mage [Tickets] 8/20/2023 Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY w/ Night Demon, Sanhedrin [Tickets] 10/20/2023 The Roxy – West Hollywood, CA [Tickets]
CIRITH UNGOL released their Half Past Human EP via Metal Blade Records in 2021. The globe was ravaged by pandemic in the wake of the release of their reunion album, Forever Black, in April 2020. As time stood still, the band dug deep into their archival crypts, drawing back the veiled mists of history to expose long-forgotten jewels from their storied past. In doing so, they exhumed four songs written in a bygone era but never properly included as part of their fabled discography. CIRITH UNGOL swept the dust off these precious relics, summoning long-dead forces back to life. Each song was reimagined for today, injected with a fresh dose of power and vitality while preserving their trademark mysticism and remaining drenched in sinister, apocalyptic energy. Recorded under the watchful eye of producer Armand John Anthony (Night Demon, Bewitcher, Gygax) in the darkness of 2020, Half Past Human is a treasured addition to the music collections of CIRITH UNGOL loyalists. In keeping with tradition, the package is completed by stunning cover art courtesy of acclaimed fantasy artist Michael Whelan, from the original Elric series. Preview and purchase the EP at: metalblade.com/cirithungol. Stay tuned for news on new CIRITH UNGOL material to be revealed in the weeks to come.
CIRITH UNGOL: Tim Baker – vocals Greg Lindstrom – guitar Robert Garven – drummer Jim Barraza – guitar Jarvis Leatherby – bass
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 ) 