Quinn Gardener-Kane is best known as the charismatic singer of Australian funk/hard rock band, DEFRYME. He recently returned with a new project THE BLACK SKELETON who released 2 cracking new singles ‘The Ledge’ and the latest track ‘All Around Me’ via Golden Robot Records
Now, THE BLACK SKELETON follows it up with a 3rd single ‘Out of Our Minds’ available now, on all digital platforms.
‘Out of Our Minds’, is where the journey began for the band. Two guys who had never before collaborated in their long careers got together and this catchy rock ballad is the result.
With an eclectic collection of songs that partner so perfectly with each other, The Black Skeleton has created an EP’s worth of music that will soon be available through Golden Robot Records.
The Black Skeleton is a powerful, melodic rock journey!
Quinn Gardener-Kane has been making what started as a fun journey of writing and recording with other super creative friends, into an emotive rock ‘n roll beast all of its own.
The Black Skeleton is a window to the inner thoughts and stories of Quinn’s life experiences; some dark and haunting, but always personal. The themes and depth of this collection of songs will resonate, provoke and have a different point of resonation with each listen.
Quinn has sought after and secured some of Australia’s most accomplished musicians to assist in the final recordings, and form the live band to showcase these amazing, kick ass songs.
German symphonic power metal pioneers DAWN OF DESTINY have signed a worldwide deal with El Puerto Records! Album No. 8 (!) will be released in June 2022.
Bandleader Jens Faber: “We are more than happy to sign a worldwide record deal with El Puerto Records. We had several options considering a new label and can now proudly announce a collaboration with an experienced and prestigious metal label. Our 8th album will be released in June 2022 and we are looking forward to this liaison with all people of El Puerto Records! Stay tuned for more information!”
Matt.Bischof, Head of Promotion at El Puerto Records explains: “DAWN OF DESTINY have been a good name in the German metal scene for a long time. I think I first became aware of the band when they had one of my all-time favorites Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE) as a guest musician on an album. We are very happy that such an experienced band as DAWN OF DESTINY has chosen El Puerto Records!”
Dawn Of Destiny have been established in late 2005 by bassist Jens Faber in Bochum/ Germany. Based on powerful and fast Power Metal, the five musicians also involve elements of thrash, gothic or death metal into the music which is characterized by catchy choruses and creative song structure. Since then, seven great albums have been released that not only caused a stir across the genre.
Gothic Metal icons CREMATORY are an undeniable institution. Now, with more than 30 years in the scene, the band continues to showcase why they are heralded as one of the best of the genre with their new album, Inglorious Darkness, out May 27, 2022 via Napalm Records!
Today, CREMATORY have revealed the first single and title track from the album! The catchy and powerful gothic metal hymn features energetic vocals and heavy guitar sounds, proving CREMATORY’s unstoppable power. The five-piece delivers the perfect taste of what their fans can expect from the upcoming studio album with “Inglorious Darkness”. Stay tuned!
CREMATORY on “Inglorious Darkness”: “This is the title track of the album with slightly progressive influences and a brilliant hit chorus. The song is about the fear of being alone in the darkness, but still feeling comfortable and having the feeling of safety and familiarity.”
Inglorious Darkness is chock full of dark and resonating hymns, setting off with title track “Inglorious Darkness” – a true Gothic Metal anthem and a worthy opener that sets the mood for what’s to come. “Break Down the Walls” hits direct, accented by a gentle melody wrapped in Rock n’ Roll drums that will infiltrate the listener’s brain, and is further solidified by the clean vocals of Felix in the verses mixed with mighty growls in the chorus.
Standout track “Trümmerwelten” lyrically illustrates a dystopian scene, while opulent keyboards build epic melodies to create orchestral, symphonic soundscapes underlined by heavy drumming. Monumental career highlight track “Tränen der Zeit” shines as bright as its original version – one of the highpoints of the band’s famous live shows – but in a modern new light. The band breathes new life into one of their all-time classics, engulfing the listener in melancholy and nostalgia alike reuniting with an old friend.
On tracks like “Sound of my Life” and “Not for the Innocent”, the band’s tried-and-true use of keys and electronic elements are a noted standout, while tracks such as “Das Ende” blaze with headbang-inducing, stomping drums and hammering energy as German lyrics further intensify the Gothic Industrial Metal aura.
With Inglorious Darkness, CREMATORY prove that their passion burns brighter than ever, and that even after more than 30 years, they are solidified as a Gothic Metal genre giant.
Covermodel: Olga & Outfit: Inner Sanctum Latex Fashion
CREMATORY on Inglorious Darkness: “New band line-up and back to the roots with only one guitar and no other singer besides Felix, who sang everything on this album alone, even the cleaner vocals. Hardness, melody and gloom are excellently combined on Inglorious Darkness. Real Gothic Metal is the catchword, which can be enjoyed here. Numerous hits sung in German and English, partly electronic, partly orchestral and partly full on the face in Gothic Rock’n Roll style!”
Nocturnal Creatures tracklist: 1. Inglorious Darkness 2. Break Down the Walls 3. Trümmerwelten 4. Rest in Peace 5. The Sound of My Life 6. Tränen der Zeit 7. Until We Meet Again 8. Zur Hölle 9. Not for the Innocent 10. Forsaken 11. Das Ende
After Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Marina Ammouri, a Ukraine native vocalist and pianist living in Stockholm, Sweden reached out to her musician friends with the idea of doing a musical project to show support for the people of Ukraine.
This quickly resulted in UMFU – United Musicians For Ukraine, consisting of members and former members of bands like Europe, HammerFall, Soilwork, King Diamond, Therion, Eclipse, Yngwie Malmsteen among others, coming together to record their own version of the John Lennon classic “Imagine”. Pontus Egberg, ( King Diamond Wolf ) team leader and one of the brains behind the UMFU – Imagine conceive made the production of the song and the music video.
Line up
Vocals: Marina Ammouri Lee Small (Lionheart, Sweet) Björn Strid (Soilwork, Night Flight Orchestra) Doogie White (ex. Yngwie Malmsteen) Nina Söderquist Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse) Mats Levén (Prins Svart, Vandenberg) Daniel Vargas (Adellaide) Jakob Samuel (ex. The Poodles) Joacim Cans (HammerFall) Thomas Wikström (Therion)
Keybords: Mic Michaeli (Europe)
Guitar: Pontus Norgren (HammerFall) Staffan Österlind (From The Sky, Paul Di’Anno) Simon Johansson (Wolf)
Bass: Pontus Egberg (King Diamond, Wolf)
Drums: Johan Koleberg (Wolf) Johan Norgren (Vikingarna)
Produced by Pontus Egberg Recorded at SolnaSound Studios and various studios around the world Mixed by Pontus Norgren at Damage Done Studio Mastered by Claes Persson Video edited by Pontus Egberg
UNHCR – unhcr.org UNICEF – unicef.org Doctors Without Borders – msf.org Internatial Red Cross – icrc.
Legendary Los Angeles based heavy metal act KNIGHTMARE II, will reissue their debut album “The Edge Of Knight” via Skol Records (CD and Digital) and Lost Realm Records (LP). The reissue will include 6 studio bonus tracks. CD and Digital version will be available on Friday, May 13 – release date of the vinyl version will be announced later.
Watch “Metal Massacre” video below.
KNIGHTMARE II was a mainstay of the Los Angeles heavy metal scene during the ‘80s. The band made a name for itself with the raucous vocals of Dennis Carlock aka Rotten Rod, along with the brilliant guitar playing from several different guitar players who went onto leave their marks in several other successful LA bands. KNIGHTMARE II was influenced by ALICE COOPER and JUDAS PRIEST, and the stage show they incorporated was bringing comparisons to acts such as W.A.S.P. or LIZZY BORDEN. The band released several singles and EPs, both independently and on the infamous Azra and Iron Works labels, and their only one full album (with songs recorded during separate recording sessions), „The Edge Of Knight”, came out in 1989. The Skol Records / Lost Realm Records reissue will include material restored from the original master tapes, and remastered by Bart Gabriel, known from recent mastering jobs for acts such as CIRITH UNGOL, MEDIEVAL STEEL or SAVAGE GRACE. Both CD and vinyl reissue will include 6 rare studio bonus tracks, and a thick booklet with previously unseen photos.
Don your bandanas, leather jackets and distressed jeans, because heavy metal is about to shine brighter than ever as Swedish newcomers BOMBER bring back the hottest era in hard rock history. Asserting their own trademark blend of 70s and 80s inspired classic and hard rock with catchy hooks, top-notch guitar solos and a vibrant aesthetic, BOMBER brings you their debut album, Nocturnal Creatures, via Napalm Records – out this Friday, March 25!
Today, the Swedish upstarts enter the last round before the release of their debut album, revealing their third single “Fever Eyes”! It ensnares with wistful weeping choirs and guarantees a quickly increasing temperature. With tours through Europe and a passionate following under their belts, BOMBER are sure to leave their mark on modern hard rock with their debut album, Nocturnal Creatures!
BOMBER on “Fever Eyes”: “So here we are. After over a year of hard work, our debut album Nocturnal Creatures is finally on its way to fans and music lovers world-wide. This is without any doubt an emotional moment for us. We went into the studio without a dime on our pockets, we we’re truly chasing a dream. The only thing we could be certain of was how much these songs meant to us – and how much love we felt for each other as friends. How we got discovered by Napalm Records within minutes is well known by now. But perhaps even more important is all you fans who’ve discovered us during these last few months. Your response has been overwhelming and heart-warming. We would now like to present the album ‘Nocturnal Creatures’ in it’s full glory. From us in Bomber: thank you. And Enjoy!”
After explosive live shows in Sweden and a subsequent tour of Germany, Sweden’s hard rock upstarts BOMBER prove that the glorious era of rock isn’t over and that they’re already setting the highest standards on Nocturnal Creatures. On ten powerful tracks, the four piece turns the night into an intoxicating adventure that convinces both old and new fans of the prominent classic and hard rock genre. Album opener and title track “Nocturnal Creatures” opens the gates with epic storytelling and interludes the following passionate ride through “Zarathustra”, while “Fever Eyes” ensnares with wistful weeping choirs and guarantees a quickly increasing temperature. “Black Pants Magic” emerges into an unforgettable high-class rock experience through its industrious and catchy hook, while songs like “A Walk Of Titans (Hearts Will Break)” and “You’ve Got Demons” surprise with dynamic melodies and Anton Sköld’s powerful voice. On “The Tiger”, BOMBER send their listeners right into the eye of a raging thunderstorm of riffs driven by brilliant grooves, while “Kassiopeia” sets the strings on fire with its marvelous solos. Bursting album closer “Aurora” presents Nocturnal Creatures’ crowning achievement, bringing the 40-minute escapade to the edge of the world.
With their new studio album, Nocturnal Creatures, the rising stars of Sweden establish a milestone in the legacy of hard rock that leads the once so majestic genre to new glory – marked by their very own special vision!
BOMBER on Nocturnal Creatures: “This is an album filled with big drums, loud guitars and great vocal performances. But there are certainly many layers and emotional depth to this album as well. We all went through some difficult times during the writing process. We strongly believe that having put our heart and souls into the songs makes them more relatable to a wider audience, so we did just that. The conceptual theme of the album is the night, and all that belongs to it. Night-time is when set our imaginations free, and we can truly release whatever is living deep inside of us. Sometimes the night can summon fears, but it can also be a comforting place. We used these concepts as songwriters to bring you stories of what can happen under the cover of darkness. From tales of spirits and ghosts to the stars above – to stories of love and heartbreak. Going through life has many challenges, it can mean going through a lot of hardships and sacrifice – but it’s also about finding our joy, meanings, and the good in all of us. That´s what this album is about. Welcome to the night… We’re all nocturnal creatures.”
Nocturnal Creatures tracklist: 1. Nocturnal Creatures 2. Zarathustra 3. Fever Eyes 4. A Walk Of Titans (Hearts Will Break) 5. Black Pants Magic 6. The Tiger 7. You’ve Got Demons 8. Hungry For Your Heart 9. Kassiopeia 10. Aurora
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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
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 