THE MYSTICAL HOT CHOCOLATE ENDEAVORS have just announced a 2022 U.S. tour.
The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors will be touring in support of their upcoming album, which will hit shelves Summer/Fall 2022. The band’s most recent release was the lauded “A Humanistic Perspective” which was released in April 2018. You can check that out on Spotify here:
The band had this to say about the run: “We, The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors, are EXTREMELY excited to announce our first return run through the States, “The Up And At ‘Em Tour 2022”. We’ll be revisiting some of our favorite spots, as well as playing some brand new ones. As awesome as that is, we will also be filming some footage on this run as a part of a future music video! So if you wanna be part of that, you’d better come out! Hope everyone’s doing well and we’ll see ya soon!”
The two-week bill will begin Feb. 18 at Bourbon on Division in Chicago, IL and finish up Mar. 3 in Denver, Colorado. Check out the full list of tour dates below.
“30 Years” – LIONHEART’s first single from the global release of “Second Nature” (Metalville records – January 21st), relates Dennis Stratton’s musical journey through the decades from his time in Iron Maiden through Lionheart, Praying Mantis and finally Lionheart again. The song’s lyrics are cleverly peppered with double meanings and Stratton’s guitar solo is deliberately played in the style of early NWOBHM. The guitar harmonies and guitar dual between Stratton and Steve Mann are classic Lionheart and the song’s fast pace is rounded off supremely by Lee Small’s typical soaring vocals. The band line-up is rounded off with Rocky Newton on bass and Clive Edwards on drums, with Rocky joining Stratton and Mann on the track’s classic 3-part vocal harmony choruses.
You can watch the “30 Years” official video below.
In 2017 the album Second Nature hailed Lionheart’s triumphant return to the melodic rock music scene with a collection of powerful and memorable songs featuring the distinctive harmony vocals and harmony lead guitars for which Lionheart were so renowned.
The first Lionheart album to feature the extraordinary talent of Lee Small on lead vocal, Second Nature was released in Japan (on King Records) and Europe. Unfortunately in 2020 the European deal lapsed and the album disappeared from the market outside of Japan.
Now Metalville Records have stepped up to the plate and are releasing a repackaged version of the Second Nature album and, for the first time, globally.
To mark this special event the album has been re-mastered to sound punchier than ever, and now also includes 2 bonus tracks.
The release will also include the remarkable ‘Circle Of Bands’ chart by Tristan Greatrex which has been brought up to date and which was up to now only available in the Japanese release.
TRACK LISTING Prelude Give me the Light Don’t Pay the Ferryman Angels with Dirty Faces 30 Years On Our Way Second Nature Prisoner Every Boy in Town Time is Watching Heartbeat Radio Lionheart Mary Did You Know (bonus track) Paperback Writer (bonus track) Reprise
LINE UP Lee Small (lead vocals) – formerly lead vocalist with Shy and Phenomena Dennis Stratton (lead guitar/backing vocals) – formerly guitarist with Iron Maiden Steve Mann (lead guitar/backing vocals) – currently guitarist and keyboardist with Michael Schenker Rocky Newton (bass guitar/backing vocals) – formerly bass player and backing vocalist with McAuley Schenker Group Clive Edwards (drums, percussion) – formerly drummer with UFO, Wild Horses, and Uli Roth
Reporting for The Metal Voice on the East Coast Kenny Kessel sat down with Mr. Big Frontman Eric Martin at Daryl’s House in Pawling, NY doing an acoustic set on Dec 16 2021.
Martin spoke to him about touring with Geoff Tate, singing on the next Avantasia album, the legacy of Mr. Big, Rush and the passing of MR. Big drummer Pat Torpey plus a much more.
When asked if there are any new plans to work on a new Avantasia Album “I just sang on the new Avantasia record, I just did that me and Tobie (Tobias Sammet) and through Avantasia I got to be really good friends with Geoff Tate.”
When asked about the upcoming Geoff Tate Tour in 2022 ” Both of us are flying to Germany (Geoff Tate and Eric Martin) and rehearsing with Avantasia (End of May 2022 about). Then June, July, August 2022, about 15 shows with Avantasia. Now in between those things Geoff goes off to Ireland and I am playing all over Europe doing acoustic. I might be out there for three months in Europe. Then when I come home August 2022 I don’t know if I can say this or not but then I ‘m going to go out with Geoff Tate for three months in the USA.”
Split Screen Management has a huge pleasure to announce the signing of REN MARABOU AND THE BERSERKERS to its roster family.
Hailing from the Emerald Isle and based in the hills of Co.Donegal these Irish Viking Metal/Norse Pagan Rockers deliver their own take on this powerful genre with a high energy stage show and anthemic, contemporary stylings. Endorsed by Cassidy Guitars, Skull Strings and Fishsticks drum sticks. Signed to United Music Mafia and Managed by Split Screen Management.
Band stated on the signing: “We are honoured to have signed with Split Screen Management and are very excited to join their mighty roster alongside so many of our favourite bands and artists such as CELTIC HILLS, STEVE DI GIORGIO (TESTAMENT), DARIUSZ “DARAY” BRZOZOWSKI (DIMMU BORGIR), RITUAL EFFECT, FALLEN ARISE and more. Everyone in the Berserker camp are looking forward to kicking things off with such an incredible company and team. Great things ahead.”
Furthermore the band reveals that their next album ‘Tales Of Rune’ is on course for a release date in early 2022.
REN MARABOU AND THE BERSERKERS are: Ren Marabou (Vocals and Guitar) Terence McCann (Drums) Michael Casserly (Bass)
In support of their brand new, 13th studio album Glory For Salvation (out now on AFM Records!), Italy’s symphonic metal overlords RHAPSODY OF FIRE are celebrating the release in style: Today, the band premiered a literally epic video clip for the majestic anthem and track “Un’Ode Per L’Eroe”!
Glory For Salvation is taking you on a trip through the realms of symphonic metal at its best. Catchy hooks, a sophisticated orchestration and the distinctive voice of frontman Giacomo Voli make this record album not only a glorious, second piece of the band’s trilogy, which started with their latest 2019- album The Eighth Mountain, but a captivating and true metal masterpiece. The energy of each band member is flowing with precision and fury, opera choirs intersecate with Voli’s superlative vocals in a cinematic orchestral polyphonic escalation towards the highest epic musical peaks.The deeply inspiring solos by guitarist Roby De Micheli and Alex Staropoli’s magic ochestrations once again create the Film Score Metal at its best!
Says Alex Staropoli about the new video and song: “Un’Ode Per L’Eroe sounds like you are in a dream, and the idea behind the videoclip was to make it look like a dream.
Fascinating cold natural landscapes underlines the glorious, marvelous music, and the deep meaning of the beautiful lyrics.”
RHAPSODY OF FIRE belongs to one of the most popular metal acts in Europe, who have raised the bar for their genre. They are the undisputable founders of epic symphonic metal, combining Hollywood-like sound landscapes and heavy power metal. The numbers are telling its own tale – with a huge, worldwide fanbase and 2 million sold records to date, while “The Eighth Mountain” entered the German album charts at a phenomenal #22 – RHAPSODY OF FIRE owns its throne in the first league of metal. Their new album is the unquestionable proof to that.
Glory For Salvation was mixed and mastered by Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann, and seen the light of day on November 26, 2021 through German powerhouse label AFM Records. Grab your copy of this must-have album, one that belongs into every well- sorted symphonic and power metal record collection, at THIS LOCATION!
To celebrate its second anniversary in glorious style, German rising powerhouse NOBLE DEMON has released a brand new label sampler entitledNoble Demonic Metal – Chapter 2. Founded by former Nuclear Blast veteran Patrick Walch, the label quickly established a name for itself. With its variety of heavy music taste, an ever growing, eclectic artist roster with constantly new signings from all over the world and increasing numbers of followers within the metal community, Noble Demon means business and has proven that they came to stay. Featuring the release-highlights of 2021 from acts such as Night Crowned, Mercury Circle, Dawn Of Solace, Zornheym, Repentance, Neonfly, Oceanhoarse, Plaguestorm and Begat The Nephilim, the sampler decently unites the amazing blend of metal styles the label currently represents.
Tracklist reads as follows:
Night Crowned – Nattkrönt
Oceanhoarse – One With The Gun
Neonfly – Venus
Mercury Circle – You Open Up The Earth
Plaguestorm – Evolution Towards The Edge
Neonfly – The Future, Tonight
Night Crowned – Fjättrad
Oceanhoarse – Reaching Skywards
Mercury Circle – Black Mirrors
Zornheym – Keep The Devil Away
Neonfly – Beating Hearts
Plaguestorm – Purifying Fire
Begat The Nephilim – Paupers Grave
Night Crowned – Gudars Skymning
Oceanhoarse – From Hell To Oblivion
Dawn Of Solace – White Noise
Repentance – Reborn
Begat The Nephilim – Paterfamilias
Mercury Circle – The Gates Wide Open
Dawn Of Solace – Skyline
Zornheym – Slumber Comes In Time
Oceanhoarse – The Damage
Repentance – No Innocence
Mercury Circle – Like Matches
Dawn Of Solace – Event Horizon
Noble Demon would like to thank all artists, partners, fans and friends for their support and trust in these uncertain times. Fueled by the passion for metal and with many more outstanding releases slated for 2022, Noble Demon is wishing everyone a healthy and joyful year’s end and a successful 2022!
Noble Demonic Metal – Chapter 2 is now available at THIS LOCATION
In addition, Noble Demon has also released its first label merch just in time for its second anniversary and you can get your hands on a shirt or hoodie HERE
Chief Shock Video
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
Ads
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 ) 