Stockholm based heavy metallers THE POODLES have released their rare Japan bonus track ‘Never Enough’, available now worldwide!
The Poodles was formed in the fall of 2005 and six months later they participated in the swedish leg of Eurovision song contest, which led to the band’s big breakthrough. The debut album, “Metal Will Stand Tall”, was released shortly after and climbed to the top of the Swedish charts. Since then, the band has toured the world and had several albums at the top of the Swedish charts , including ‘Performocracy‘ which was released in 2011. The Poodles have also become well-known faces among Swedes and are still regularly seen on national TV.
In 2018, the band announced that they had collectivly decided to split up. Since then, they haven’t released any music, until now! Today, The Poodles release the single ‘Never Enough’ which was previously only available on the Japanese edition of the album Devil In The Details (2015). ‘Never Enough’ is a melodious and fast-paced hard rock song in true The Poodles spirit, and it’s now available worldwide.
Perth’s fearless, riff-laden, genre-bending band VOYAGER enter promised land with their new progressive synth-metal anthem “Promise!” Representing Australia at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, the quintet will bring their synths and riffs to the world stage in May!
Voyager has just launched a limited edition 7inch vinyl featuring “Promise” and the song that started it all, “Dreamer,” making this the perfect collector’s item for any Voyager or Eurovision fan! The 7inch is limited to exclusive black and pink pressings, which are limited to 300 copies each! Numbers 1-50 of the black color variation will be signed by the band and will be exclusively available via the Season of Mist e-shop.
Voyager guitarist Scott Kay comments, “7” vinyl you say? Both of our televised Eurovision singles in the one place? Here it is! We’re really stoked with these and they’re the perfect collector’s item for any Voyager or Eurovision fan! These are extremely limited, so don’t miss out on your chance to own one!”
Stay tuned to the SBS Eurovision website for updates HERE.
VOYAGER Live EU/UK Dates: April 8 @ Eurovision Pre-Party in Spain (Madrid) April 15 @ Eurovision In Concert in Amsterdam April 16 @ Eurovision Pre-party in London April 20 @ Headline show at London’s Boston Music Room
Australian Headline Tour 2023: June 9: Brisbane @ The Zoo June 10: Melbourne @ Stay Gold June 16: Adelaide @ Unibar June 17: Perth @ Rosemount June 23: Metro Social @ Sydney June 24: Basement @ Canberra
The opening line of Voyager’s 2023 Eurovision song “Promise” is somewhat prophetic. As vocalist Danny Estrin belts out the lyric, “Have you ever done anything like this before?” audiences across the globe will realize they haven’t. For the first time ever, a band will represent the country – and not just any band – a band with soaring melodies, masterful riffs, keytar solos, powerhouse rhythms, and enough charisma to take on the world.
Shattering expectations, their resilience and determination has finally paid off. Theirs is a story of passion, perseverance, and patience. The band has been throwing their hat in the ring for the Eurovision Song Contest since Australia announced its participation back in 2015. Eight years later, they have prospered, overcome, and are now victorious. Voyager are a band who take everything in their stride, over the years garnering a strong fanbase near and far, continuing to vie for their Eurovision dream. At last year’s Eurovision – Australia Decides, they took out second place in a nail-biting finish, leading the public vote with their song “Dreamer.”
Now, Voyager are about to set sail Merseyside with their song “Promise;” an epic, progressive pop metal track that transports the listener on an emotive story of adventure and redemption. Its stunning music video was captured in the region of Western Australia’s mid-west Kalbarri that boasts the pink ethereal Hutt Lagoon, and Kalbarri National Park, where there are epic gorges and rock formations including Nature’s Window.
Blending New Romantic, ‘80s infused vocals with technical, melodic framework, groovy basslines, bombastic drums, and what is fast becoming the band’s signature instrument, the keytar, it’s sure to lift the roof off Pier Head, Liverpool. They have toured the world many times over, with an influx of fans on their latest European tour won over by their electric live performances.
Voyager will soon embark on their eighth album cycle, but before they can begin their next chapter, they must first take on the epic battle they have long been fighting for.
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, with their song Stefania. This year, the United Kingdom will host the competition on Ukraine’s behalf with the theme United by Music. This is the ninth time the United Kingdom will host Eurovision and the fifth time it’s hosted for other countries due to financial or capacity issues.
SBS’s exclusive coverage will once again be in the capable hands of music buff Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey. This year marks 40 years of SBS broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest to all Australians, and the eighth year Australia has participated in the event.
Line-up Danny Estrin – Vocals, Keytar Simone Dow – Guitars Alex Canion – Bass Scott Kay – Guitars Ash Doodkorte – Drums
“Promise” Song Credits: Written by Voyager Recorded at Hopping Mouse Studios Mixed by Matt Templeman at Staywell Audio, Perth Mastered by Simon Struthers at Forensic Audio
“Promise” Video Credits: Video Directed and edited by Joseph Varley at DarkSpiritPhotography Lighting Design by Dean Gratwick at Beatmatch Audio Lighting and LED Supply from Showscreens Perth Filmed at The Naval Store, Fremantle, The Hutt Lagoon and Kalbarri National Park.
Voyager acknowledges the Whadjuk and Nanda people as the traditional land owners of where they have filmed.
Swedish/Norwegian melodic power metal band SAINTDEAMON is currently gearing up for the release of their much-awaited, new studio album, entitled “League Of The Serpent”. About three and a half years since their quasi-“comeback” album “Ghost” (released in 2019), the band’s forthcoming offering will be available on April 21, 2023 via AFM Records.
Following previously-released, first album sneak peak “At Break Of Dawn”, today, SAINT DEAMON are premiering a music video for their new single “Load Your Cannons”!
“Time to bring this beast of an album one step closer to release! What better way to do it than bringin’ out the big guns and expose the full energy of the song for our next single release in a full blown -“It dont get closer to live than this” Bullsize production Video”, the band comments.
“We’re extremely proud to present “Load Your Cannons” to you all. Let us fill our hearts with the power of metal and the spirit of Captain Saint Deamon, and let us rock the night away! May your Friday be filled with headbanging, moshing, and the joy that can only come from Saint Deamon’s “Load Your Cannons”! RAWK!”
Known for their high-quality sound and an individual touch (which is often hard to find in the power metal genre), also “League Of The Serpent” clearly shows the great quality of vocal wonder Jan-Thore Grefstad, guitarist Toya Johansson, bass player Nobby Noberg (ex-Dionysus) and new drummer Alfred Fridhagen (Gaia Epicus). First single releases showcase typical SAINT DEAMON compositions, yet the band skillfully incorporates progressive nuances and makes “League Of The Serpent” an album that will be most likely one of the genre highlights in 2023!
Vocalist Jan Thore reveals: “This album has been written in many ways similar to how we made our debut “In Shadows Lost From the Brave” back then. The songs are all new and fresh, no older song ideas have been used. The album consists of everything you can expect from Saint Deamon. Heavy, fast-paced, slow, powerful and melodic – it’s all here. I really feel that what you hear on „League Of The Serpent“ is the best version of Saint Deamon.”
Just like its predecessor “Ghost“, “League Of The Serpent” was mixed by Oscar Nilsson in the Crehate Studios (Scorpions, Crash Diet, In Flames). This time, mastering was handled by Tomas ‘Plec’ Johansson (The Night Flight Orchestra, Nocturnal Rites).
Due out April 21, 2023 as Digipak CD and limited (500 units) colored vinyl edition via AFM Records, the album pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
Vio-Lence Main Lineup: Sean Killian (vocals), Phil Demmel (guitar), Ira Black (guitar), Christian Olde Wolbers (bass), Adrian Aguilar (drums) – (photo by Stepahnie Cabral)
VIO-LENCE is gearing up for a series of live shows in 2023 that will include the band’s new touring lineup. While Phil Demmel remains a member of the band, his personal and professional schedule will limit his touring with Vio-Lence to select festival appearances.
Vio-Lence kicks things off on March 23 in Houston, TX where the band will be playing Hell’s Heroes Pre-Party at the White Oak Music Hall followed by a performance at the highly anticipated Milwaukee Metal Fest on May 26. The band will then head to Europe where they will perform at the Motocultor Festival in Carhaix, France on August 18 followed by a series of performances on the Headbanger’s Boat going from Mami to Nassau October 31 through November 4.
More dates and festivals to be announced soon!
Vio-Lence’s new touring lineup features Sean Killian (vocals), Christian Olde Wolbers (bass), Miles Dimitri Baker (guitar), Ira Black (guitar), and Adrian Aguilar (drums).
VIO-LENCE 2023 Tour Lineup – (photo by Stephanie Cabral)
Vio-Lence Live Dates: 3/23 Houston, TX – Hell’s Heroes Pre-Party Show 5/26 Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Metal Fest 8/18 Carhaix, France – Motocultor Festival 10/31-11/04 Miami to Nassau – Headbanger’s Boat
About the band: Formed in 1985, Oakland thrashers Vio-Lence helped define and refine what came to be known as the Bay Area sound, dropping three seminal albums before splitting in 1993. Leaving behind a heady legacy, they reformed briefly a couple of times in the intervening years before becoming a full-time going concern once more in 2019. After playing a string of successful shows, the quintet started to think about new music and in 2022 they delivered Let The World Burn, a five-song EP showcasing their first new material in 29 years, which delivers on the classic Vio-Lence sound. Let The World Burn was tracked in Trident Studios in Pacheco, California by Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Exodus), mixed by Tue Madsen (Dark Tranquillity,Heaven Shall Burn) and mastered by Ted Jensen (Alice In Chains, Death Angel).
Germany’s DOWNFALL OF GAIA have unleashed their sixth studio album, Silhouettes Of Disgust, via Metal Blade Records!
DOWNFALL OF GAIA is a dark wall, moving forward relentlessly, enveloping the listener, absorbing one’s spirit to take one into the realm of the band’s potent sound. Progressing in part by looking backwards and returning to familiar territory Silhouettes Of Disgust delivers a dynamic and textured blend of crust punk and post-black metal doused in atmospheric elements, taking everything that ever made the band compelling and pushing it in new and gripping directions. The record includes the return of guitarist Peter Wolff, who left the band in 2015 to focus on family and other pursuits. They’ve also expanded their sonic palette with the addition of synths for the first time, and female vocals courtesy of Lulu Black, who collaborates with drummer Michael Kadnar in industrial/gothic project This Is Oblivion.
Coinciding with the release of Silhouettes Of Disgust, DOWNFALL OF GAIA today unveils a visualizer for the track “While Bloodsprings Become Rivers.”
Elaborates vocalist/guitarist Dominik Goncalves dos Reis, “Dreams and goals are not equally achievable for everyone. Ever-growing class differences within society have become a major problem that has received far too little attention. Social injustice continues to reach new heights, and everyday life is becoming increasingly difficult for many to cope with.“
View the band’s previously released video for “Bodies As Driftwood” at THIS LOCATION, a companion drum playthrough for the track at THIS LOCATION, and a visualizer for “Existence Of Awe” at THIS LOCATION.
Silhouettes Of Disgust is out now on CD, LP, and digitally. Preview and purchase the record at: metalblade.com/downfallofgaia
The title Silhouettes Of Disgust is derived from the narratives driving the songs, focusing on the stories of eight different people, as residents of a fictional metropolis, each with their own worries and struggles. “Loneliness, addiction, the fear of tomorrow, pressure from society/work and others, things that many of us probably know all too well,” explains Goncalves dos Reis. “You have to play along somehow, or you fall through the cracks, and once you’re down, it’s hard to get back up. It looks at selfishness and ignorance, the general way of dealing with each other – you’re one, surrounded by millions, surrounded by all these silhouettes of disgust, surrounded by the things you want to avoid and hate. The last few years have impressively proven what you can expect from humanity, and honestly, it’s not much.“
DOWNFALL OF GAIA will return to the stage this April on a short run of European live dates celebrating the release of Silhouettes Of Disgust. The tour kicks off on April 11th in Munich Germany and runs through April 23rd in Berlin, Germany. The band will be joined by Implore and Deathrite on select shows. See all confirmed dates below.
DOWNFALL OF GAIA w/ Implore: 4/11/2023 Backstage – Munich, DE 4/12/2023 Jugendhaus West – Stuttgart, DE 4/13/2023 Bandhaus – Leipzig, DE 4/14/2023 Underdogs – Prague, CZ 4/15/2023 Zollkantine – Bremen, DE w/ Deathrite: 4/19/2023 Pul – Uden, NL 4/20/2023 Rockpalast – Bochum, DE 4/21/2023 Substanz – Osnabrück, DE 4/22/2023 Headcrash – Hamburg, DE 4/23/2023 Cassiopeia – Berlin, DE
DOWNFALL OF GAIA: Dominik Goncalves dos Reis – vocals, guitars Peter Wolff – guitars, vocals Anton Lisovoj – bass, vocals Michael Kadnar – drums
In November 2021, death metal titans HYPOCRISY released their 13th studio album Worship to massive acclaim from fans and media ending up in the top ranks of many year’s poll lists and scoring some of their highest chart results to date. Promoted on the band’s most extensive live cycle since ages, tracks like ‘Chemical Whore’, ‘Children of the Gray’ were very well received by their following, alongside to such classic tracks as ‘Roswell 47’, ‘Inferior Devoties’, ‘Fractured Millennium’ or ‘Eraser’.
HYPOCRISY toured the States, performed at festivals like Wacken (DE), Summer Breeze (DE), Maryland Deathfest (US), Alcatraz (BE) to name but a few, played a highly successful European tour, and finished 2022 with an unforgettable trip to South America before launching 2023 aboard the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise. But now, HYPOCRISY and Nuclear Blast Records will start the first, and definitely not final chapter, of a catalogue campaign bringing back all their legendary past records, some of which are much sought-after rarities.
“Chapter One” begins with classy vinyl and CD editions of Penetralia (1992), Osculum Obscenum (1993), The Fourth Dimension (1994), and Abducted (1996) on May 5th, 2023. Documenting the evolution from the violent and utterly morbid Masse Broberg fronted first two records, the much revered opus The Fourth Dimension that showed a darker and more melodic approach until Abducted , which includes live staple ‘Roswell 47’, this first phase of HYPOCRISY’s career laid down the groundwork for the Swedes trademark sound.
The 2023 re-issues feature all original art with a few careful touchups – the band logo on Penetralia was for example never meant to be pink/purple – and preserve true death metal classics in astonishing form that have been unavailable especially on LP for far too long. Get ready to revisit one of the most consistent and dynamic discographies in the genre!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
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