As we are approaching winter and darkness lingers in every corner of the North, PIL & BUE – the modest duo with the massive sound, is set to release yet another colossal single.
You are the Universe a is a fierce and powerful rock track, with strong melody lines, powerful drums, and hefty guitars.
It is both catchy and convincing and is truly a song that allows you to let go of all the heavy loads and just breath and live in the moment for a wonderful and enforcing 4 min.
Pil & Bue comments: “Every now and then, everything just feels perfect. Your, or our, entire existence. It may be for just a glimpse, of some wonderful yet powerful seconds. But right then, you are the universe”
With one of the best vocalists from Norway, Petter Carlsen, on vocals and guitar, and Gøran Johansen slaying the drums, they are an explosion of hard rock.
With subtle, but pronounced references to artists like Placebo, Deftones, Sigur Rós, Anathema and Mars Volta, Pil & Bue delivers “Hard, gloomy & joyful music…” (Metal Hammer NO) based on topics like memories, childhood aspirations, use of imagination, video games, and the intriguing online rabbit holes.
The band´s raw and melodic music quickly struck a note with Hollywood director Tommy Wirkola who included the Pil & Bue single “You Win Again” in his now cult-status movie “Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival January 2014.
Also, their single “Fire” from their second album “Forget the Past, Let’s Worry About The Future” is featured on the end credits of Hollywood/Netflix blockbuster “What Happened To Monday” (2017).
Pil & Bue released their acclaimed third album The World is a Rabbit Hole in September 2021, an album which got rave reviews: 6/6 Scream Magazine (NO), 5/5 Metal´art (FR), 5/6 Norway Rock Magazine, 5 Altaposten, 7/10 Metalhammer UK og 11/15 from www.betreutesproggen.de.
Solo black metal project BIZARREKULT is now sharing a brand new single, “Du Lovet Meg,” along with a thought-provoking music video! The track is taken from the project’s upcoming sophomore full-length, ‘Den Tapte Krigen,’ which will be released via Season of MistonJanuary 27, 2023, making it BIZARREKULT‘s debut to the label! The song and video, which was directed by Guilherme Henriques, can be found at THIS LOCATION.
BIZARREKULT mastermind Roman V. comments: “I am happy to reveal the opening track from the new album. ‘Du lovet meg’ (You promised me) is a song about the mismatch of our expectations and actions, promises that never get implemented, forgiveness and eternal love. A soundtrack for anyone who has ever been in relationship with another person. Embrace the emotions, don’t hide your feelings from yourself.”
‘Den Tapte Krigen’ can be pre-ordered HERE and the album can be pre-saved on all digital streaming services HERE
The cover artwork for ‘Den Tapte Krigen’was created by Ivan Gladkikh.
TRACKLIST 1. Du Lovet Meg (You promised me) [05:11] [WATCH] 2. Kongen (The King) [04:23] [WATCH] 3. Den Tapte Krigen (The Lost War) [04:40] 4. Hvis Jeg Bare Kunne… (If I Could Only…) [06:42] 5. Midt I Stormen (In the Middle of the Storm) [05:12] 6. Kjære Barn (Dear Child) [05:28] 7. Løslatt (Released/Set Free) [04:12] 8. Himmelen er Utilgjengelig (Heaven is not Available) [06:39]
Since the genre’s inception, black metal has been ruled by lone wolves. Individuals who blur the lines between “masterminds” and “madmen,” creating in solitude and willful confinement. From first and second wave purveyors such as BATHORY and BURZUM to this century’s revivalists like SAOR and PANOPTICON, these anomic souls have made incomparable contributions to the dark arts. And in 2022, BIZARREKULT paves a new yet familiar path, establishing itself as one of the cult visionaries of this decade.
Before finding his way to music, multi-instrumentalist Roman V was first a poet. Since childhood, Roman found an outlet in writing and by 2006, he created BIZARREKULT as an auditory accompaniment to his verbal expressions. “BIZARREKULT since the beginning was a quest of identity and philosophical search for answers on the questions that bother the mind at night and day,” explains Roman.
Despite the project’s inception 16 years ago, BIZARREKULT’s music did not make its debut until the release of ‘Vi Overlevde’ in 2021. As he started feeling challenged by the declining state of the world, Roman pursued a new path and decided to go straight to the environment that incubated and birthed the genre that he loves. As he relocated from Siberia to his current home of Norway, his new surroundings had its intended purpose and greatly impacted his musical journey. “After some initial recordings the project was set aside in order to deal with increasing mass challenges from the surrounding world. And then it ended up getting a spark a decade later in a different environment, nature, language and culture. So distant, but so close. Norway has become my second home and the last few years that led to revitalization of BIZARREKULT were spent on reflecting on myself, meaning, purpose and reuniting with the things that were important – art and creativity.”
Meaning “We Survived,” ‘Vi Overlevde’ was a very intimate, vulnerable, and personal offering. Roman describes the record as “a testament to survival through personal crisis” and notes that it is “filled with reflections on childhood, family and societal relations.” The musician took care to ensure that the record delivered a comprehensive package, aligning the music, artwork, and lyrics with exact precision.
As the world was collectively reckoning with the turmoil of year two of a global pandemic, the album’s message gave many hope. Fans started to emerge, reacting to the record with their own artistic interpretations as a way to pay tribute. The album also won the hearts of the media, appearing on a handful of “album of the year” lists, including scoring a third place position from Sweden’s biggest newspaper, Aftonbladet.
Now, BIZARREKULT is ready to enter a new chapter, forging a new union with Season of Mist and completing the work on its sophomore full-length, ‘Den Tapte Krigen.’ Meaning “The Lost War,” ‘Den Tapte Krigen’ thematically picks up the thread from where ‘Vi Overlevde” left off, but sees a musical evolution as BIZARREKULT continues to find and establish its identity. “The main message of ‘Den Tapte Krigen’ is about a constant war inside our lives, war with ourselves, our closest ones, our societies,” says Roman. “It’s a war in which we can lose everything, including our personality, faith, honour and dignity. However, similar to ‘Vi Overlevde’ that ends on a rather positive note, ‘Den Tapte Krigen’ contains a message of hope and reconnection, of necessity to make a peace with yourself, accept what you are, your identity, and share forgiveness and love. This is the only way out of the vicious circle.”
Line up: Roman V.: music, lyrics, vocals
Studio line up: Roman V.: vocals Ignat P.: guitar, bass Alexander P.: drums Dina: vocals
Mixing + Mastering: Miguel Tereso – Demigod Recordings
Born from the mountains of Colorado, CELESTIAL WIZARD is blazing new trails with their aggressive, powerful sound. Pulling from both power metal and death metal, they achieve a melodic, high intensity mix that hits just right.
Their sophomore album ‘Winds of the Cosmos’ showcases just that, as they deliver hard driving riffs paired with aggressive, death metal-styled vocals.
‘Winds of the Cosmos’ is set to be released on January 20th via Scarlet Records.
The songs cover everything from frosty ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ action to zombie apocalypses and the perils of outer space.
The band tactfully blends these stories with their own emotional charge, giving each track gravity and meaning beyond the initial themes.
‘Winds of the Cosmos’ is a metal monster in a league all its own!
produced and mixed by Nick Nodurft at Rusty Sun Audio
artwork by Dan Goldsworthy (Accept, Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Aborted)
guest apperance from Jake Jones (Aether Realm) on ‘Ice Realm’
CELESTIAL WIZARD is: Amethyst Noir – vocals Nick Daggers – guitar and vocals William Perkins – guitar Kyle Morgan – bass Tim Gillman – drums
(‘Winds of the Cosmos’ featured Guillermo Jurado on guitar)
Four-piece Australian alt/rock project HYPERDRIVE STEREO have released their new single ‘All Rights Reserved’ via Golden Robot Records.
This track marks the final single for Hyperdrive Stereo in the lead up to their album release later this year. ‘All Rights Reserved‘ follow album previous singles ‘Metermaid‘ and ‘Contact.’
‘All Rights Reserved‘ is a song about the final conversation between a couple ending their tired relationship. Officially withdrawing all relationship “rights” (loyalty, love) from each other. This song is a journey and delivers a story many are familiar with.
Hyperdrive Stereo consists of Mat Robins and Mark Robins from Australian band, Cicadastone, actor/writer/producer/comedian/musician, Jason Gann, (best known for his role as the title character in the Australian comedy series ‘Wilfred,’ and the U.S. reboot of the same name), and Agostino Soldati.
In addition to releasing their new single, Hyperdrive Stereo have announced the release of their new album Greatest Destroyer of Loveis available for pre-save and willout November 18 via Golden Robot Records.
This album has a story unlike any other. It shouldn’t be here. Written in the late 90’s but never recorded, Hyperdrive Stereo always knew they had a great album of material. However, timing is everything and at that time, it just wasn’t meant to be. But good song swill always be good songs no matter how much time has passed, and now, Greatest Destroyer of Love is here to finally be heard. An album that sounds original and fresh, which has already stood the test of time. An album that is uniquely Hyperdrive Stereo.
Hyperdrive Stereo are hosting an exclusive listening party the night before the album release to give fans alike the chance to hear the album early and soak up the atmosphere.
Pre-save/add/order Greatest Destroyer of Love HERE
Track by track: METERMAID: A hopeless drug addict leaves his kid strapped in a car. 13th BEACH: A song about moving on from the pain of an expired relationship, hitting the road to start again, and landing on a beach called 13th Beach – which is an actual (pretty bleak) beach in rural Victoria, Australia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The final conversation between a couple ending their tired relationship, officially withdrawing all relationship “rights” (loyalty, love) from the other. UNTIED: A song about the anguish and futility of a relationship going nowhere despite both people really wanting it to. And the sadness of knowing everything ends and everyone dies. CONTACT: A confused and doomed young couple has made a series of mistakes that they can’t undo. They have each other for the moment, but their bond won’t be enough to save them from the consequences of their bad choices. HOLE IN THE GROUND: A young man cuts ties with people he loves and who love him, as he prepares to enter the prison system for a long time. THAT TIRED DRESS: A desperate and tortured man tries to win back his girlfriend after breaking her heart, to no avail. ENGINE: A tortured man’s car breaks down in the middle of nowhere at night. As he walks aimlessly in the darkness, he contemplates his life of suffering, and the suffering he has caused others. SMALL DETAILS: A song about reflecting on past regrets and valuable friendships left behind. FISH OUT OF WATER: A man contemplates life and the afterlife as he distances himself from another girl he cares for but can’t commit to. GREATEST DESTROYER OF LOVE: A song about toxic love, long distance.
“Music is magic, and Spell is a spell. Fundamentally, it is a forum to make our dreams come true” – Spell bassist/guitarist/vocalist Cam Mesmer
Fantastical heavy metal band SPELL released its new LP, ‘Tragic Magic‘, on October 28 via Bad Omen Records. Featuring ten tracks of prime, progressive heavy music flooded with mesmerizing atmospheres, ‘Tragic Magic‘ sees Spell take a decidedly grittier lyrical approach, leaning less into escapism, while confronting real life challenges of modern times. Striking cover art (Frenzy of Exultations by Wladyslaw Podkowiński, 1863) featuring an angelic woman riding a frenetic horse, portends the palpable potency that the record promises. Purchase ‘Tragic Magic‘ at: spellofficial.bandcamp.com
In celebration of the release of ‘Tragic Magic‘, Spell drops a lyric video for the new track “Watcher of the Seas”, filmed by Cam Mesmer and Skayu Louis and edited by Vince Edwards. Check out ‘Watcher of the Seas” here:
‘Tragic Magic‘ is the highly-anticipated follow up to Spell‘s critically-acclaimed 2020 LP, ‘Opulent Decay‘, a record hailed as “fantasy rock” by Blabbermouth, “enchanting” by Heavy Blog is Heavy, and “captivating” by Revolver. The record’s songcraft is steeped in the atmosphere of the arcane, yet the hooks are more razor-sharp than ever. While influences like the esoteric charge of the aforementioned Blue Öyster Cult and the elemental expansions of Camel drift through these crepuscular melodies, Spell are as likely to be influenced by the life-affirming energy of ’60s Motown, the ethereal dimensions of Cocteau Twins, the strident woe of Candlemass, and the classic songwriting chops of Russ Ballard.
“The themes on this album are more concrete, guided by personal experience,” offers Mesmer. “Tragic Magic’ has to do with mental illness, ageing, the death of a loved one, the decay of time… this is what ‘tragic magic’ means to us – loss and tragedy outside of our control, which fundamentally alters our perceived reality. This album is our response to the world as it currently is: music for an ascetic age. The identity of Spell came into sharp focus as it was always intended to be.“
Spell is also streaming a video for its new track, “Fever Dream”, an enticing earworm that fuses darkwave and prog-psych in hypnotizing fashion while exploring the realms of “nightmares and sleep paralysis“. The video premiered via Decibel, who says, “The track takes elements of prog, psych, darkwave, and classic rock and fuses it into something beautiful and despairing.” Stream “Fever Dream”, directed by Scotti Gibson, with cinematography by Kyle Samuels, makeup effects by Caitlin Rose Delaplace, and editing by Vince Edwards, at: youtu.be/gq2NQaVJpnE
“Fever Dream” comes directly from the most evil and frightening moments I’ve experienced in the depths of illness and sleep,” offers Spell vocalist/guitarist Cam Mesmer. “These things may not make sense in the light of day, but once they take hold you have no choice but to follow their twisted path. Deep within nightmares and sleep paralysis, I have conflicting desires: first the urge to shake myself and escape, but also a second, deeper instinct – to give in to the feeling and allow it to conquer me completely to see where it will take me. This song represents your darkest subconscious, urging you to allow that evil inside of yourself and give it the agency to take you somewhere new, somewhere unholy. Now go back to sleep…“
Track listing: 01. Fatal Breath 02. Ultraviolet (watch VIDEO) 03. Hades Embrace 04. Fever Dream (watch VIDEO) 05. Sarcophagus 06. Cruel Optimism 07. A Ruined Garden 08. Souls in Chains 09. Watcher of the Seas (watch VIDEO) 10. The Watching
Spell has also unveiled a video for the LP’s radiating first single “Ultraviolet”. Created by Sean Edwards for Ramble Films (Freeways), the eye-catching clip showcases Spell at the height of its powers. Stream Spell‘s “Ultraviolet” video at: youtu.be/eh-b4JtBjQM
“Ultraviolet” explores the hidden terror of forces that rule us but cannot be perceived or understood,” says Spell vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Cam Mesmer. “Our world is shaped by powers that the limitations of our physical bodies prevent us from directly encountering. Will we fall victim to the lust for that which cannot be ours, or harness them to fulfill our wildest dreams?“
Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Tobias Sammett about Avantasia’s album ninth studio album A Paranormal Evening With The Moonflower Society. which was released Oct 21, 2022 via Nuclear Blast.
Tobias Sammett was asked in the chat which singers he would like to be guests on future Avantasia albums he replied, “Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) is an open secret but Rod Smallwood who’s a very nice chap and always very respectful lets me know that it’s not going to happen. Paul Stanley is a great singer, one of my heroes I have to say of course. Lou Gramm (Foreigner) and Steve Perry. But I have to say Avantasia is not to be mistaken for one of those bucket list bands. I think that (guests) should be subordinate to the songs and to the performances themselves. The people I worked with on this record are six old family members and two new family members. I think they helped me to realize my idea, my feelings and I think they give the songs what they need and that’s why I think that should be more important. I don’t want this project to become one of those bands where people say, oh the songs don’t really matter but the new records got Steven Tyler, the Pope and …ect”
A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society consists of eleven magical songs and features numerous prestigious guest stars. It’s an adventure that’s sure to captivate the audience.
The album was produced by Tobias Sammet alongside AVANTASIA guitar player Sascha Paeth. The fantastic cover artwork was done by Swedish illustrator Alexander Jansson.
A Paranormal Evening with the Moonflower Society Tracklisting: 1. Welcome to the Shadows 2. The Wicked Rule the Night 3. Kill the Pain Away 4. The Inmost Light 5. Misplaced among the Angels 6. I Tame the Storm 7. Paper Plane 8. The Moonflower Society 9. Rhyme and Reason 10. Scars 11. Arabesque Total running time: 53:5
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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
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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