When Woodstock legend Melanie passed away on January 23 last year, we not only lost one of the most distinctive voices and songwriters of the last 60 years. We lost, too, what promised to be one of the most audacious albums of her entire career – and with 30-plus others to choose from, that was a very high bar to clear.
Secondhand Smoke, as she called it, was to be a collection of covers chosen precisely because nobody would have expected her to choose them.
Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead, Depeche Mode, Morrissey, The Adverts, Britpop heroes Ash (their “Uncle Pat” had been in and out of Melanie’s live set since the 1990s) and more were lined up, and so was David Bowie, whose “Everyone Says Hi,” she admitted, resonated particularly deeply within her.
Indeed, it is one of the most emotionally affecting songs Bowie ever wrote. Taken from Bowie’s 2002 album Heathen, it is effectively a greeting to someone who has been loved and lost. And in the weeks and months following Melanie’s death, her son and long-time musical collaborator Beau Jarred found his thoughts increasingly returning to Bowie’s simple, but so moving lyric.
“Said you took a big trip, they said you moved away “Happened oh so quietly, they say.”
Although nothing had been recorded, Beau Jarred and Melanie had already started working on the song’s arrangement; now he returned to it, laying down a vocal in one sleepless night, and initially intending it simply as a gift to his family and friends.
But the more people who heard it, the more the performance took on a life of its own – until finally, with the first anniversary of Melanie’s departure looming, he was persuaded to release it to the world, a tribute not only to his mom, but also to Bowie, whose own death, in 2016, was also remembered this month; and to Melanie’s myriad fans, whose messages of support and love have done so much to sustain Beau and his family across these last 12 months.
The accompanying video, made up from a subtly sync-ed collage of photographs and press cuttings, adds further emphasis to the song’s emotional impact, as Beau explains.
“It’s for everyone. There’s nothing any of us would like more than to be able to say ‘hi’ to her, ask her how she’s doing, tell her to call sometime. And wherever she is, I know she can hear us. Hi mom, hi dad. And hi to David Bowie as well. We miss you all.”
It’s been six long years since The Great Old Ones released their last cosmic chapter of Lovecraftian lore. Finally, the French band has returned with another batch of dark tales, though now with a new twist. On Kadath, the post-black scribes climb out of Cthulhu only to descend into the dark heart of the Dreamlands.
“Great stuff for metalheads who like their fiction the same way they like their metal – dark, heavy, and highly disturbing” Metal Trencheswrote in their 9/10 review of Kadath.
Kadath is released today, Friday, January 24, you can hear all seven transcendant songs by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
On Kadath, The Great Old Ones draws the listener deeper into the dream-haunted world of Lovecraft’s strapping young hero. Always one to keep his head in the clouds, Randolph Carter embarks on a mind quest through the treacherous Dreamlands. But as the divine gods of old would have it, his nocturnal journey springs to life with otherworldly perils that push him to the brink of insanity.
The two-part epic “Me, The Dreamer” opens the album like an accursed bout with insomnia, tossing and turning amidst raging riffs. Just as Carter glimpses the stoned visage of the Gods on Mount Ngranek, “In the Mouth of Madness” sucks him into the grip of the nightgaunts with unflinching blast beats.
“Climbing the huge stone steps, seeing yellowish-red eyes, I’m running under, under the sign of Koth” vocalist Benjamin Guerry wails on “Under the Sigh of Koth” as the band tear through the very fabric that dreams are made of.
Cover Art: Jakub Rebelka
To usher in the latest chapter of the band, The Great Old Ones are bringing Kadath to stages across Europe. Catch the Lovecraftian legends on tour with Cult of Fire and Caronte later this spring.
“We’re very proud to announce that we will be presenting Kadath to our fans alongside the fantastic Cult of Fire and Caronte”, the band says. “We can’t wait to take you with us on the Dream-Quest of Unkown Kadath”.
Mantras for Peaceful Death Over Europe 2025 Tour March 26 Tama, Poznan, PL March 27 Drizzly Grizzly, Gdansk, PL March 28 Orwo-Haus, Berlin, DE March 29 Samhain Festival, Antwerpen, BE March 30 Bibelot, Dordrecht, NL April 1 La Machine Du Moulin Rouge, Paris, FR April 2 7er Club, Mannheim, DE April 3 Turock, Essen, DE April 4 Musigburg, Aarburg, CH April 5 Revolver, San Donà di Piave, IT April 6 Fuori Orario, Taneto di Gattatico, IT April 7 Largo Venue, Roma, IT April 8 Mocvara, Zagreb, HR April 9 Backstage, München, DE April 10 Szene, Vienna, AT April 11 From Hell, Erfurt, DE April 12 TBC, Nitra, SK April 13 Kwadrat, Krakow, PL
Tracklist:
1. Me, the Dreamer (10:55) [WATCH] 2. Those from Ulthar (9:10) 3. In the Mouth of Madness (7:11) [WATCH] 4. Under the Sign of Koth (8:46) [WATCH] 5. The Gathering (Interlude) (1:19) 6. Leng (Instrumental) (15:00) 7. Astral Void (End of the Dream) (8:54) 8. Second Rendez-Vous (Bonus Track, Jean-Michael Jarre Cover) (11:32) Total runtime: 1:12:49
A name is whispered which chills the spine and quickens the pulse – THE GREAT OLD ONES. Like phantoms emerging from the fog, they have haunted the world of Lovecraftian Black Metal with their sonorous, foreboding melodies and eldritch tales. Descending once more into the abyss of H.P. Lovecraft’s enigmatic universe, they have unearthed their latest opus, Kadath – an album that promises to be a journey of both magnificent dreams and unspeakable horrors.
THE GREAT OLD ONES emerged in 2009 from the old parts of the ancient Aquitanian harbour city of Bordeaux, France, a city famed for its secrets and deep red wine. After releasing their first album, Al Azif, the reactions of critics and fans were unanimously positive.
The band followed up with their second full-length, Tekeli-li, which garnered even higher praise. As a result, THE GREAT OLD ONES played a show at the acclaimed Roadburn festival, opened for BEHEMOTH in their homeland, played at Hellfest, and supported label mates SHINING and DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT.
The third full length, EOD – A Tale of Dark Legacy, (2017) marked another big step in the band’s fast rising career. The five-piece took the road with the legendary GAAHLS WYRD and embarked on a successful European co-headline tour with AUÐN from Iceland. THE GREAT OLD ONES also appeared on the billing of respected festivals, such as Brutal Assault and Eindhoven Metal Meeting, in front of a gigantic crowd of cultists.
THE GREAT OLD ONES have been crafting sonic landscapes that echo with the cries of ancient, cosmic deities and the whispers of forgotten realms. Their discography masterfully showcasing the sheer power of atmosphere and narrative, and has guided listeners through the darkest corners of Lovecraft’s mythos, earning them a devoted following among both metal aficionados and acolytes of the macabre. With their unique blend of harrowing intensity and sombre beauty, they have captured the essence of the otherworldly, marrying it with the raw, blackened heart of metal.
Kadath marks a bold departure from the oceanic depths of the Cthulhu mythos, venturing instead into the Dreamlands. It is here that we follow the protagonist, Randolph Carter, as he seeks the fabled city that haunts his visions. The album resonates with his longing and determination, embodying the treacherous path he treads amidst the capricious gods and monstrous entities that dwell within this twilight realm. Through seven tracks, THE GREAT OLD ONES tortuously narrate Carter’s odyssey, transcending the boundaries of music to evoke a world where fantasy intertwines with terror.
Recorded under the vigilant eye of Francis Caste at Studio Sainte-Marthe, Paris, Kadath‘s production is nothing short of sorcerous. Each note and whispers are imbued with the power to transport the listener, offering an escape into an epic, immersive universe. Benjamin Guerry’s haunting vocals and guitars, alongside the mesmerizing contributions of Aurélien Edouard and Alexandre Rouleau on guitars, the deep resonance of Gregory Vouillat’s bass, and the relentless assault of Julian Deana’s drums, forge an album of unmatched emotional depth and technical prowess.
Thus, behold the latest chapter in their eldritch saga, Kadath – their unyielding quest to explore the outer margins of reality and imagination. An invitation to journey beyond the familiar, into a world of cosmic dread and awe-inspiring beauty, where the ancient gods still roam and dreams bleed into reality.
Melodic hard rockers ALLIANCE are pleased to announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album “Before Our Eyes”, set for release on March 28th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. The first single and accompanying video, “Tell Somebody”, are also available now.
Alliance comment on the new album: “We are excited to have a new label and to be working with the team at Frontiers. With 5 albums released over the last 30 years we are feeling even more creative and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. We are looking forward to reaching a wider audience and are already hard at work on album 7.”
About the new track, they add: “The first single from the new album is “Tell Somebody”. The songs narrative applies to everyone of us having things going on in our lives that other’s might not see but the hidden meaning alludes to the divisive climate in the world. An open heart, truth and clarity, are the goals.”
Renowned melodic hard rock band Alliance, with a nearly thirty-year collaboration, and six highly regarded studio albums, return with their new release, “Before Our Eyes”, their first on the Frontiers label, and the first in several years following “Bond Of Union” (1996), “Alliance” (1997), “Missing Piece” (1999), “Destination Known” (2007), “Road To Heaven” (2008) and “Fire And Grace” (2018).
For the new album, the core of the band remains the same with guitarist Gary Pihl (Boston), drummer Mr. David Lauser (Sammy Hagar) and bassist Robert Berry (3, GTR). After Sammy Hagar stopped his solo career to join Van Halen, his drummer David Lauser, along with guitarist Gary Pihl still longed for the allusive missing pieces for a new project outside of their main gigs.
Early in 1993, Robert Berry received a call from Lauser. They reached out to keyboardist Alan (Fitz) Fitzgerald (ex-Night Ranger), and gathered together at Hagar’s studio in Mill Valley to work through songs from their demos. According to a witness, “there was an immediate connection. Everybody in the room could feel it. The vibe was powerful and inspiring”. They immediately recognized the common thread that would feed their creativity.
A signature style was beginning to emerge, and the band was bonding even though they were spread geographically throughout the country, with Pihl in Boston, Fitz based in Texas, Lauser in Southern California and Berry in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Over the years and up to today, Alliance continues to solidify and bolster their long-distance collaborations. Though the scheduling remains challenging their passion and commitment remains energized. Their musical benchmark, perhaps a product of their high-profile roles outside of Alliance, has always been pushed to the highest standard. And it’s clear that they always strive to surpass their previous release. Thus, they have earned a loyal, patient and growing fan base over the years that are sure to enjoy and embrace the new album “Before Our Eyes”.
“Before Our Eyes” Tracklist:
1. Tell Somebody 2. Nothing Will Make You Change 3. Too Many People 4. Face Of Justice 5. Good Life 6. Joan Of Arc 7. Can’t Stop Messin’ 8. Right 9. 100 Sad Goodbyes 10. Tonight 11. A Bone To Chew On
Italian SOULS OF DIOTIMA have announced, after their first twenty years of career and the release of their latest single ‘Another Day in Paradise’, that they are turning over a new era of the band by officially announcing the entry into Studio Bohus of Oscar Nilsson for the production of their fifth album, which will begin their musical turnaround.
The frontwoman Claudia Barsi says: “After these first twenty years that we absolutely do not deny, indeed we will continue to perform live all our discography, we finally decided both musically and aesthetically to create what we really are and feel inside. Our first productions, which are absolutely fantastic, always followed that classic female metal trend, perhaps following certain well-known canons, and today we have arrived at such an awareness that we are finally able to create something that is really ours and to be and present ourselves to the audience as we really are. But again, of course, we love our previous productions and we will continue to perform them live. Hence the decision, for now, to remain as the official line-up: me, Fabio and Giorgio being the main proponents of this new step. In the future, it’s not said that there will be no new entries”.
More information to be revealed soon, stay tuned!
In 2024, SOULS OF DIOTIMA released their stand-alone single for Phil Collins’ ‘Another Day In Paradise’, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their artistic career!
The single of “Another Day in Paradise” released via Diotima Records Music Management Ltd and distributed by Blood Blast Distribution, produced by Oscar Nilsson with the help of Simon Eliasson.
More information:
Souls of Diotima is a band with a unique style, characterized by recognizable elements of traditional, progressive and symphonic metal, as well as unconventional elements, woven musically in a new and highly expressive way. The band’s music engages all the senses and conveys a feeling similar to watching an epic film, creating strong visual scenes and almost tangible mental images. The defining characteristic of Souls of Diotima is its style, which recalls Mediterranean atmospheres and traditions. In fact, the band hails from Sardinia, an island in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. This makes its sound and style unique and recognizable.
The band has participated in tours and festivals abroad, headlining and sharing the stage with bands such as Obituary, Hatebreed, Stratovarius, Vision Divine, Dgm, Folkstone, Saurom and others. Souls of Diotima have also worked with many of Europe’s top producers, including Jens Bögren and Oscar Nilsson, who is their current producer. In 2017, the Souls of Diotima founded a record label in London: “Diotima Records Music Management LTD,” and the following year the band with the new label created and participated as headliners in the first edition of the “Diotima Metal Fest” held in downtown Paris in order to raise funds for Parkinson’s research. Soon the band will announce new dates and a new tour, while waiting to re-enter the studio for the production of their fifth album.
Souls of Diotima are: Claudia Barsi – voice Giorgio Pinna – drums Fabio “The Black Mask” Puddu – guitars
DISCOGRAPHY “Janas” – (January 29th, 2021) – Diotima Records/ Rockshots Records “The Sorceress Reveals-Atlantis” – (June 10th, 2016) – Rockshots Records “What Remains of The Day” – (June 25th, 2012) – Revalve Records “Maitri” – (September 14th, 2011) – Copro/ Casket Records
TWINS CREW has released “Choose Your God”, second single taken from the new album “Chapter IV” to be released on February 21 by Scarlet Records.
Dive into the core of metal with this anthem: voices call within, seeking truth in the echoes of your mind. This powerful song urges you to listen to your own voice and embrace metal as your true god. With fierce solos and a commanding chorus, it’s a rallying cry for true believers. Choose your god and feel the raw energy that defines you!
Twins Crew has signed again for Scarlet Records, which released their sophomore record “The Northern Crusade” in 2013, in order to unleash their new effort.
“Chapter IV” is nothing less than a pure heavy metal album – an alive and kickin’ one, indeed! Twins Crew are back with their sane dose of melodic power metal characterized by powerful guitar riffs and soaring vocals, and a record written in the age of pandemic, inflation, global warming and war.
In times like these it’s very important to stand up and choose your side: the Swedish band believes in keeping it real and simple when it comes to music, while also showcasing evolution and resilience – you can feel it both in the dynamic high-energy performances & thoughtful lyrics.
With unwavering dedication to their crafts and fans, Twins Crew continues to be a formidable force in the present power metal scene.
Twins Crew: Andreas Larsson – vocals Dennis Janglöv – guitar David Janglöv – guitar Fredik Hammar – bass Fredrik Nörgaard Graff – drums
French surrealist progressive band Vénus Bleue proudly presents their latest single, “Héréditaire Parricide”. This dark and intense track marks the second release from their highly anticipated debut album, Infâme Nectar, set to drop on February 14, 2025, via Wormholedeath.
“Héréditaire Parricide” takes listeners deep into the realms of dark emotional turmoil and societal collapse, exploring themes of inherited trauma, destructive familial patterns, and rebellion against oppressive legacies. The song’s title speaks to the breaking of cycles of suffering, using vivid, often unsettling imagery to critique toxic systems passed down through generations. It raises the question: can we ever truly escape the damage inflicted by those who came before us?
Vénus Bleue was founded in 2020 by Vénus B., who handles composition, vocals, guitars, bass, and synths. The band’s ethereal soundscape is completed by core members Neptune B. (piano), Mercure B. (violins, keyboards, electronica), and Jupiter B. (drums). Their debut album, Infâme Nectar, promises to push musical boundaries even further, immersing listeners in their multi-textured world of dark poetry, sonic aggression, and cinematic atmospheres.
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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