DIRTY BLADE have released their new single and official video ‘Keep Your Head Down’. The single is now available on all the world’s top music platforms, on the label’s official store in Japan and also on Crash Sound Distribution! Watch the video below.
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Dirty Blade was born in 2018 through 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 is completed with bass first with Lorenzo and then definitely with Leonardo. With this line-up the band recorded its first singles, Bring her to the grave and It’s fuck. For Bring her to the grave a video clip was created in collaboration with Lotus Music Production released on May 5, 2021. In March 2022 they formalized their collaboration with Wanikiya records for the distribution of their first album. The recording started in April 2022 at Saffa666Studio.
ANCIENT SETTLERS return with their new single ‘A New World Order’, released worldwide today via Crusader / Golden Robot Records.
In one of their more melodious compositions to date, Ancient Settlers criticise the new post-pandemic system. ‘A New World Order’ has catchy synthesisers, a guttural-clean voice duet with Dalay Tarda (Rise To Fall) on backing vocals, getting straight to the core and bouncing between different emotions throughout. Relentless from opening note, ‘A New World Order’ is bound to be a fan favourite.
The new EP Transition from Ancient Settlers will be released on May 2nd, 2023. This new chapter is the interlude of the Settlers Saga. An ambitious, melodic, diverse, rough, technical, and aggressive 4-track EP. Each song with its own personality, defined by the catchy and memorable guitar riffs and a source of different vocal approaches. Lyrically, the EP draws on contemporary topics like the war, the post-pandemic challenges, gender inequalities, the migrant crisis across the world, and the challenges of our society.
From St Sebastien, Spain, Ancient Settlers is a modern melodic death metal outfit comprised of five musicians, inspired by the recent tragedies that affect the way that humans live. Ancient SettlersFrom St. Sebastien, Spain,
Founded in 2020 by Carlos Chiesa-Estomba and Herman Riera (Former Haboryn), Rene González (Former Aesthesis), Emmy Reyes (Blackbeer, Former Gamalyel), and Antony Hämäläinen (Meridian Dawn, Former Nightrage and Armageddon), Ancient Settlers is a group with more than fifteen-years’ experience in the European and American metal circuits.
The band started their journey with the intention to explore the frontiers of modern melodic death metal including catchy guitar riffs, the use of synths and keyboards and a variety of different sounds and rhythms, trying to develop their own musical personality. From a lyrical standpoint, the band is inspired by the recent tragedies that affect the earth and human race. They try to spread their message to all those prepared to listen.
In January 2021, the band released their first single “Diamond Eyes” digitally and alongside a limited edition 7” vinyl. The following February, the band released their debut EP, ‘Autumnus’. Both albums were recorded in Portugal, France, Spain, and the USA and had the services of Daniel Cardoso (Anathema, Anneke Van Grisbergen) mixing and mastering the album, as well as Gus “Perkele” Sazes (Angra, Kamelot, Gus G, Firewind, Arch Enemy, Morbid Angel) designing the artwork.
For the art design, the band again worked with Gus Sazes. Fredrik Nordstrom’, produced by worldwide Grammy award-winner, Out Last Eclipse to release their first long play album, the killer 10-song ‘Crusader Records sign to Ancient SettlersIn April 2021, Miguel Herrera joined the band as the fulltime bass player and, despite the pandemic, in July 2021 the band performed their first European Tour including venues throughout Portugal, France and Spain. May 2021 saw
In August of that year the band signed a deal with Dronicon Films to present a two-chapter animated Sci-Fi film. The first video “Library of Tears” was released in September as the first single of ‘Our Last Eclipse’, and the second “Cast in Gold” was released in February 2022.
In 2022, the band get back on the road to perform the songs from ‘Our Last Eclipse’, and tour across Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland, performing half of their shows with female metal singer Argen Death as special guest. Also in February 2022, Agustin Martinez replaced Emmy Reyes on the guitar and in March, the band released their 4th promotional video, “Cerements”.
‘Our Last Eclipse – The Settlers Saga Pt.1’ was released on April 1st on both physical and digital formats.
In 2023, Argen Death replaces Antony Hämäläinen on vocals and the band return to the studio to record their new EP, ‘Transition’, for Golden Robot Records. The EP will be under the guidance of Pedro J Monge (Vhaldemar, Rise to Fall, etc) at Chromaticity Studios, and the band will work with the recognised illustrator Jon Toussas (Metal Hammer, Septic-Flesh, Suicidal Angeles, etc). The band is currently preparing the tour to present ‘Transition’ across Europe.
This summer, on July 7, 2023, Swedish power metal force BLOODBOUND will release their hotly-anticipated, new studio offering Tales From The North! The band’s tenth album will be coming out as a 2-CD digipak including a live CD, a strictly limited box set as well as coloured vinyl LPs; the pre-sale has just recently started via AFM Records here!
When it comes to defending the core values of timeless power metal and combining them with fresh stylistic variations and exciting stories, BLOODBOUND have always been fighting at the forefront. The six-piece has proven their versatility and inventiveness countless times. Following their much acclaimed, 2021-album, Creatures Of The Dark Realm, Tales From The North will unquestionable continue to enthrall the metal community! As lead guitarist Tomas Olsson recently revealed:
“’Tales From The North’ is very much a concept album about the viking era. About the lives of our ancestors up here in the dark, cold and unfriendly environments of the north. Different legends and myths intertwine during the course of the songs, leading up to the epic battle of 1066, which marks the end of the viking era.”
After first album singles, “Odin’s Prayer” and “The Raven’s Cry”, today, BLOODBOUND are premiering a music video for the album closing track “1066”! Fredrik Bergh adds: “1066 is one of the more epic tracks on the album. One of my favorite songs from “Tales from the North”!
Tales From The North was produced by BLOODBOUND, and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Amorphis, Overkill, Sabaton) at the Swedish ‘Black Lounge Studios’. The cover artwork was created by Péter Sallai (Hammerfall, Powerwolf & many more).
Olsson continues: “The songs are more fast-paced and closer to some of our earlier stuff like ’Moria’ and ’Nosferatu’, but have more complex arrangements. Compared to the predecessor ‚Creatures Of The Dark Realm‘ there are heavier guitars and some deeper sounding keyboards. We have also incorporated some traditional nordic folk music instruments to fit the concept of the album. It`s still pure power metal but we’re trying to take it to the next level.”
BLOODBOUND live: 04.05.2023 (NOR) KOPERVIK Karmoygeddon Festival 05.- 08.07.2023 (GER) BALLENSTEDT RockHarz Festival 05.- 16.07.2023 (CZE) VIZOVICE Masters of Rock Festival
BLOODBOUND is: Tomas Olsson – lead guitar Fredrik Bergh – keyboards Patrik Selleby – vocals Henrik Olsson – rhythm guitar Anders Broman – bass Daniel Hansfeldt – drums
Following their recent signing with Drakkar Entertainment / Soulfood Music, Amsterdam-based modern metal band, THE LAST ELEMENT, has shared a brand new song taken of their forthcoming, hotly-anticipated album! More album details should follow in the weeks ahead.
After the four-piece just shared a first single earlier this year, “Waves” (feat. Jett Rebel), today, the band is premiering the song “Control”, featuring rap infused rock and metal act DROPOUT KINGS!
Says THE LAST ELEMENT vocalist Jasper about the new single:
“Control is a heavy and dark song about an abusive relationship, when we wrote the second verse we just knew we wanted someone to really deliver that feeling with the perfect rap vocals… thus Dropout Kings came to mind, we’re fans of what they do and their amazing sound so we decided to reach out.
Quickly they picked it up and we’re excited to work on the song and thus Control was created!”
Since their formation, THE LAST ELEMENT has reached +3 Million streams on Spotify alone and +10 million across platforms, fully DIY and this only proves they are getting the recognition and support from their listeners. With these numbers increasing daily and previous releases added to editorial playlists such as “New Blood” “New Core” “New Metal Tracks”, THE LAST ELEMENT is definitely levelling with established names in the genre on the way to determine their goal in life to share their music and lyrics with a global audience.
THE LAST ELEMENT started in 2018. Immediately they found common ground, both Jan (bass) and Jasper dealt with hardship in the past, each song they wrote was a way to lift a burden. Jan most notably dealt with the suicide of his life partner, and Jasper came from a history of child abuse and the fallout that created. They bonded over the troubles they lived but more importantly who it made them and what it made the band, they became stronger, the damage, the scars of their past gave the fuel to their music and helped them write what is closest to their hearts. THE LAST ELEMENT is the bond between them, and all the people who are scared to get hurt or that have to deal with misfortune, “we all heal when we are together, together we are stronger. Thus our music became the translation of those feelings, the dark, the heavy, the rage but also the light, the love and hope. The band says.
“With our songs, music, videos and stories we want to keep that as a theme that, no matter how dark the cloud, there’s always a silver lining of hope and resilience. (this is also portrayed in our artwork and band pictures, we combine black with a color of choice).”
THE LAST ELEMENT is: Jasper Roelofsen – Vocals Noah Grim – Guitar Jan Bijlsma – Bass Mark Cappon – Drums
Founded in 2020 in Kuopio, Finland and combining melodic death, heavy and folk metal, SWANSONG are bringing their very own blend and something new to the metal scene. Powerful melodies with hard-hitting riffs revive the 80s and 90s and at the same time the oldschool elements get a fresh & modern twist with female death growls and screams! Signed to Noble Demon, the band is currently preparing for the release of their highly anticipated debut album, which is set to see the light of day in the Fall of 2023. Featuring experienced musicians from such bands as Verjnuarmu, Tornado, Carnal Demise and Sadistic Forest, Swansong‘s upcoming debut is a release you definitely don’t want to miss!
With the music video for the new single “Awakening”, the four-piece today offers a first insight into their soon to be released album. So give ear and step into the Swansong world of empowering stories with midnight warriors and strong maidensl!
Swansong on “Awakening”:
“Get ready for a journey through the dark woods: Inspired by Nordic/Finnish Mythology, Awakening is the first single from Swansong’s upcoming debut album. A track with haunted screams, aggressive guitars and powerful melodies.“
Valo is the third and final pre-album single from the forthcoming new VORNA album Aamunkoi, and now available on all digital platforms.
The band about Valo:
“When Arttu (Järvisalo, Lead Guitar) brought the first instrumental demo of this song to the table, and I started to work on the lyrics and vocal arrangements, my initial thoughts were that this sounds like a love song. And that’s not really my expertise. The end result is something that fits into the aforementioned category as well, but it can also be interpreted from a more universal perspective.
We may not have the power to take anyone’s pain away or save them, but what we can do, is to try and make each other’s journeys more bearable. That’s what “Valo” (The Light) is all about.”
The music of VORNA from Tampere is as melancholic as sublimely gloomy. No wonder that the group has already toured or played shows with Insomnium, Wintersun, Kalmah, Thyrfing and Whispered. The sextet from Finland, active since 2008, enters with a majestic metal sound that also features symphonic and folk accents.
The band’s fourth album stands out for its self-evident, breathing musicality. The lyrics are presented again in the Finnish native language of the musicians and support the mythical character of the tracks. The album title could hardly be more aptly chosen. “Aamunkoi” can be translated as “Aurora”. In literature, this means “The Dawn”. In the far north, where VORNA come from, this is also the name for the phenomenon of the polar lights. In both interpretations darkness and grace play a role. Astonishment and fear are also to be associated. Not everything can be grasped and cleary understood. Much remains in the indefinite and in the intermediate tones. This closes the circle to the melancholic metal of the six Finns and their nature-loving understanding of art.
In comparison with the debut “Ajastaika” (2013), the second album from 2015, “Ei valo minua seuraa”, and the debut on LIFEFORCE RECORDS, “Sateet palata saavat” (2019), VORNA surpass themselves on “Aamunkoi”. All songs sound immensely multifaceted, accentuated and above all atmospheric.
The gloomy emotionality and fine melody lines of the band’s fourth album pull in their spell. The contrasting play between forward attacks and fragile atmosphere, which reaches deep, has lasting effects and impresses.
VORNA about Aamunkoi:
“Life is finite, unpredictable, and unfair. The album’s main theme is survival in the uncertain world where the lucky ones who get to witness a new day have a chance to strive for a better future – when they still can.
Music-wise Aamunkoi is Vorna’s most melodic work to date and we have once again broadened our musical horizon towards new territories on every instrument. “
VORNA live: 06.05.23 FI – Tampere @ Yo-talo 12.05.23 FI – Helsinki @ Kuudes Linja 20./22.07.23 FI – Laukaa @ John Smith Rock Festival 04./05.08.23 FI – Tampere @ SaariHelvetti 10./12.08.23 FI – Kotka @ Dark River Festival
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