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Rockumentary on Former Megadeth Drummer NICK MENZA Gets Today a Headbangin’ New Jersey Premiere with Q&A

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 17, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

After a triumphant West Coast screening in California last week, BayView Entertainment in association with Screaming Butterfly Entertainment and Ellefson Films is thrilled to announce the second showing in its bi-coastal theatrical premiere of This Was My Life: Nick Menza’s Metal Memories with Megadeth and Beyond. 

The much-anticipated Nick Menza documentary film is set to thrill music fans in Hawthorne, NJ this Thursday, April 17th at 7PM.

In attendance will be Megadeth co-founder and former member, David Ellefson; and the film’s director, Holly Grayson. The audience will be treated to an introduction and a Q&A session after the screening. Participants are tentatively scheduled to appear and subject to change pending any unforeseen circumstances. 

Speaking on the California premiere, Grayson declared it, “incredible” and thanked everyone involved for making it “such a success.” Ellefson added that he found the sold-out event “absolutely fantastic… and the film very emotional.” 

The film provides an intimate look into a life dedicated to music. Culled from Menza’s personal and private VHS tape collection, photos, and audio files, it’s a deep dive into unreleased drum tracks, concert and studio footage, candid glimpses backstage and on the tour bus, and interviews with family, friends, fans, and colleagues.

“We are thrilled to bring this screening to local music fans. The Tri-State area has always been metal-friendly,” says BayView Entertainment VP of Acquisitions, Peter Castro. 

Tickets can be purchased now via EventBrite at this location.

Following a limited theatrical run in selected U.S. markets, it will also be available for digital streaming and on physical media in a special Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray. 

WATCH the trailer:

For more information on the event please visit: http://www.thiswasmylifefilm.com/

About BayView Entertainment, LLC

BayView Entertainment, LLC is a leading independent distributor of feature films, fitness, and special-interest content. With hit narrative films Skinamarink and Robot Monster, plus legendary documentaries On Any Sunday and The Endless Summer leading the way, BayView is one of the fastest-growing names in the field.

Incorporating catalogs from Monterey Media, Summer Hill, Mutiny Pictures, VIPCO, and others, BayView is positioned to expand even further in years to come. BayView’s programs are available on the major streaming sites around the world plus DVD and Blu-ray. 

PROGENY OF SUN to Release Second Studio Album “Prophets of the Void” in Fall, ‘Penance’ Single & Music Video Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 17, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Janiv Oskár & Joni Kiviniemi

Finnish blackened death metal band Progeny of Sun is set to release the second studio album later in autumn 2025 via Inverse Records. The first single Penance is unleashed today and music video of the track is available below.

Guitarist Jaakko Hautamäki comments: 

“Niko kindly mentioned that the boys should start making more songs because time was running out. Following this command, Joni and I started working. At first, we did the easy parts and then gathered anger for the next ones. I started creating a song that wouldn’t begin with a blast beat, wouldn’t end with a new riff, and would contain three choruses. The spark for the song came from a piece of melody I improvised 20 years ago. I adapted it to a new form, changed the major keys to minor keys, and added only double bass drums. I finally got it on tape, which had been playing in my head for decades. When the song was finally assembled, I had an even better idea: to leave that section out entirely. Niko created the vocals almost instantly for the first demo with a message “What can you do when one just sends me this kind of nuclear waste?” We scratched our heads, and suddenly the song was complete. The rhythm section participated in the composition work by nodding along.”

LISTEN to Penance on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/pos-penance 

  • Composed by Jaakko Hautamäki
  • Lyrics by Niko Aromaa
  • ISCR-code: FI3FC2591402
  • Single cover by Joni Kiviniemi & Niko Aromaa

Track list:

  1. Swarmspawn
  2. Penance
  3. Worldstone
  4. Decimation
  5. Colonus
  6. Lifeless Light
  7. Sun and Moon
  8. Circle of Keres
  9. Diary Ender
  10. Deface
  11. Rain for Discouraged
  12. Forsaken Brigade

Mixed by Jaakko Hautamäki
Mastered by Jonathan Mazzeo
Album cover by Joni Kiviniemi & Niko Aromaa

BIOGRAPHY:
In the beginning, Progeny of Sun was a two-man band formed by Jaakko Hautamäki and Niko Aromaa. Jaakko was responsible for the instrumentals, mixing, and mastering, while Niko handled the vocals, lyrics, visuals, etc.

The songs Jaakko introduced were very versatile. Some had speed, some were slow, some painted a picture with their atmosphere, and some were more straightforward bangers. Despite the diversity in style, everything worked exceptionally well in tandem, and from this premise, the band started to develop and pave its own way forward.

To start with, Progeny of Sun created a 6-song self-titled EP and discovered that their music was met with great reception. The duo behind the band did all the mixing, mastering, videos, and artwork themselves. The project as a whole was very fun and rewarding to work on.

After the EP release, Jaakko and Niko began to think that something more was still needed. They still had a burning desire to spread their music around the world, but with just two people, it would have been impossible.

Subsequently, Jaakko found two local musicians from the Seinäjoki area: Joni Kiviniemi (guitar) and Juha Peura (drums). Joni and Juha were initially brought on board just to offer their vision and play their assigned instruments for new material. Soon, however, it began to feel like they were part of the family, and so it was decided that they would become full-fledged members of the squad and a part of the band’s story. Not long after, Tuomo Tolkki (bass) was also welcomed to join, and in a matter of a few months, the full lineup was formed.

The first release with the full lineup, a 3-track EP ‘Dark Wanderer’, was released in 2021. Next in line were the single releases ‘Worthless’ and ‘Anguish’, which were released in 2022. Thanks to the aforementioned experimental phase, Progeny of Sun has gained self-confidence and started to understand its own identity. The band worked hard on the debut album ‘Throne of Desolation’, which was released at the end of 2023. Progeny of Sun’s second album ‘Prophets of the Void’ will be released in September 2025. Following their debut album, the band has identified their strengths, which are utilized and showcased even more prominently on the second album.

Line-up:
Niko Aromaa – Vocals
Jaakko Hautamäki – Guitar
Joni Kiviniemi – Guitar
Tuomo Tolkki – Bass
Juha Peura – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/Progenyofsun
https://www.instagram.com/progenyofsun
https://progenyofsun.bandcamp.com

AMETROPIA Sign Worldwide Deal with EMG

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 17, 2025
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Extreme Management Group (EMG), home to bands like Suffocation, Atheist, Misery Index, and more, has announced their partnership with Metal Band AMETROPIA.

Ametropia was forged in the passionate fires of extreme metal veterans who have been around since the genre’s inception and young blood from the modern era. Ametropia performs eclectic blackened death with an emphasis on a groove metal sound.

The band tore through the underground metal circuits blowing the faces off of any unsuspecting concert goers and quickly made a name for itself. The band’s debut LP, “Original Sin”, premiered to acclaim from bloggers, youtubers, and metalheads alike. Youtube critic Metal Trenches praised the album’s changes of pace and hailed it as a record “worth diving into”. Fans enjoy the brutality and musicality of the album as well as the catchiness of the flowing grooves.

Like Death and Gojira before them, Ametropia is driven by a relentless passion to infuse originality back into the artform. Pushing the music to its limits, the band stands out by paving their own path forward, motivated only by artistic instincts and not the whims of popularity. Their breakthrough album was released independently on July 19th, 2024. It was produced and recorded by virtuoso drummer extraordinaire Ashley Maccabee. The record was expertly mixed and mastered with raw aggression. The technical edge of the music was maintained with a modern touch, yet the sound harkens back to
old school soundscapes. The south-central PA power trio released a collection of eight masterworks of destructive groove-oriented frequencies and blast beats featuring ferocious and catchy blackened death metal vocals that captivate and deteriorate. Disciples of metal will hear the Christ-bashing chants and ear-splitting riffs of Deicide, the rhythmic ear worm tempos of Pantera, the skull crushing technicality and chaotic frenziness of Spawn of Possession.

Ametropia’s tribute to “The Philosopher,” the final song on Death’s 5th album Individual Thought Patterns, centers the trio’s technicality through the instrumentals, disdain for the mindless societal groupthink, and pure emotional rawness in the vocals.

Frontman and Guitarist Tyler “Vrases” Hoffer’s performance and lyrics draw from classic horror movies, disdain for religion, and even touch upon more old school death metal stylings with a unique twist. He does not shy away from his misanthropic viewpoints when discussing the state of the world nor the potential end of it.

Eric Van Valkenburgh draws upon his decades of experience writing and performing music along with newer influences brought into the mix by Tyler. The result is a cataclysmic culmination of extreme music. Ametropia has sown their name in the book of heavy metal representing true artistry, authenticity, and integrity.

With their unique blend of Death, Black, and Groove; the band continues to take the world by storm. They are hard at work on their follow up LP and will hopefully hit the studio in late 2025 to record. Ametropia is always performing and aims to expand their reach in 2025.

Now in 2025, AMETROPIA has signed with Extreme Management Group and says, “We are so excited to work with EMG and we look forward to the future.”

AMETROPIA is:

  • Tyler “Vrases” Hoffer – Vocals/Guitar
  • Eric Van Valkenburgh – Bass
  • David Cherry – Drums

Connect with AMETROPIA:

A-Z Return with Sophomore Album “A2Z²”, First Single + Video ‘Nothing Is Over’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo credit: Stephanie Cabral

Hard rock band A-Z returns with their sophomore album ‘A2Z²‘ out on June 6th, 2025 via Metal Blade Records. Spearheaded by legendary drummer Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) and along with former Fates Warning bandmate Ray Alder on vocals, ‘A2Z²‘ builds on the groundwork laid on the acclaimed 2022 self-titled debut album.

The title “Nothing is Over” – the first single from A2Z² – serves as a de facto statement announcing the quintet’s 10-song sophomore effort and musical M.O. It’s the initial track Mark Zonder and guitarist Nick Van Dyk (Redemption) wrote when they began working on A2Z² with vocalist Ray Alder. Music trends may be ever-changing, but classic rock ‘n’ roll is indeed never over, and A-Z remains committed to heavy music that’s sophisticated but hooky and accessible.

Helping achieve those aural goals are bassist Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai/Ring of Fire/Warlord), Italian guitarist Simone Mularoni (A2Z² mixing/mastering, DGM) and keyboard player James Waldo (Alcatrazz/New England). “Nothing is Over” is heavier and deeper than what the band explored on their debut LP, with a bit more prog playing, but still featuring a big chorus hook and plush vocals. Alder’s lyrics were inspired by H.P. Lovecraft‘s short story The Outsider.

The band known as A-Z began when Zonder started working on material in early 2020 with a clear vision for the band he wanted to put together: “I was thinking beer commercials, car commercials and Cobra Kai. I wanted a very accessible band that would appeal to the masses,” he says. The band’s name – standing for Alder thru Zonder – was an easy choice that would never pigeonhole the lineup’s sound. “What I liked is that it did not limit what someone would think of the band,” says Zonder. “If we named the band Scary Serpent it would give a certain direction and didn’t want people to prejudge us.”

The band members are legendarily prolific, which allows for an amazing dynamic where, as Zonder explains, “when you find the right guys, you just let them do whatever they want. Everybody’s a seasoned pro and all the different ingredients come together, make it what it is. That live and recording experience allows A-Z to instinctively know how not to step on each other musically.“

“We’re all about the songs, the band, not what each of us does in it. It’s simple,” they all agree. “It’s about the music as a whole,” says Zonder, “I guarantee you everybody’s into something completely different musically, and that’s where the magic to me comes from, taking different influences and everybody doing what they do to create A-Z. We’re not 20-year-old kids. We’re at the point where if you’re gonna go, just go big. And that’s what we’ve done on A2Z².“

A2Z² Tracklist:
01. Fire Away (4:37)
02. Running in Place (4:58)
03. Nothing Is Over (4:18)
04. A Wordless Prison (6:04)
05. Reaching Out (4:16)
06. The Remedy (5:06)
07. I Am Numb (4:03)
08. This Chaotic Symphony (5:10)
09. Learning to Fly (4:38)
10. Now I Walk Away (5:39)

Pre-order A2Z² now at: metalblade.com/a-z

A-Z lineup:
Ray Alder – Lead and Backing Vocals
Philip Bynoe – Bass Guitar
Nick Van Dyk – Guitars
Simone Mularoni – Lead Guitars
Jimmy Waldo – Keyboards
Mark Zonder – Drums

A-Z online:
http://www.a-zband.com
https://www.facebook.com/AthruZBand
https://twitter.com/AthruZBand
https://www.instagram.com/athruzband

BOKASSA Announce Tour with CLUTCH for This Winter

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Norwegian punks Bokassa, the fiery power trio who were handpicked by Lars Ulrich to tour with Metallica and Ghost in 2019, and are currently tearing it up across the UK, are set to hit the road this winter with US stoner rock legends Clutch!

The full dates for the tour are:

November 24th – Copenhagen, Denmark – Store Vega
November 26th – Helsinki, Finland – House Of Culture
November 28th – Stockholm, Sweden – B-K
November 29th – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
November 30th – Oslo, Norway – Rockefeller
December 2nd – Hamburg, Germany – Grosse Freiheit 36
December 3rd – Berlin, Germany – Festsaal Kreuzberg
December 5th – Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra
December 6th – Zagreb, Croatia – Culture Factory
December 7th – Munich, Germany – Backstage Werk
December 8th – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof
December 10th – Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall
December 11th – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Paradiso
December 12th – Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
December 13th – Paris, France – Elysee Montmartre
December 15th – Bristol, UK – Beacon
December 17th – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy
December 18th – Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy
December 19th – Manchester, UK – Academy
December 20th – London, UK – Roundhouse

Hot off the heels of their 2024 album, “All Out Of Dreams”, the band are set to tour the UK this April! The tour, which includes self-described “Feral blues-punk outfit” Mother Vulture, is set to see the band spread the same fire and fury that won over the San Francisco legends and their legions of fans, at some of the UK’s best venues!

The remaining dates for the “All Out Of Dreams” UK Tour are:
April 17th – Sheffield, Corporation
April 18th – Nottingham, Old Angel
April 19th – London, Downstairs at the Dome

Get your tickets at https://www.bokassaband.com/tour

“Count on Bokassa to keep serving up absolute bangers” Kerrang’s Sam Law wrote in his review of Bokassa’s latest full-length album “All Out of Dreams”, which hit the shelves in February 2024. And that’s exactly what they’ve done. The record saw the band further expand their self-patented brand of stoner punk into a hook-laden “Molotov Rocktail” of punk, hardcore, metal, and rock, or as Knotfest put it “This album is a testament to the band’s knack for creating anthems that are both rebellious and catchy.”

Released through Norway’s Indie Recordings (Satyricon, Cult of Luna, Wardruna), the album was recorded, mixed and mastered by legendary producer Tue Madsen in Antfarm Studio in Denmark, with guests like Lou Koller from NY hardcore legends Sick Of It All, and Aaron Beam from stoner rockers Red Fang. The record was hailed by critics around the world, with glowing reviews in Metal Hammer UK, Sweden Rock Magazine, Norway’s Dagsavisen, Powerplay Magazine and Germany’s Rock Hard.

Not one to be bothered by trends, Bokassa aim to please themselves more than anything. Still, the Trondheim natives have managed to play some of the world’s biggest festivals and toured all over Europe and Norway, supported Judas Priest, Mastodon, Zebrahead, Baroness and of course Metallica. In 2019 they were handpicked from complete obscurity by Lars Ulrich to support Metallica alongside Ghost on their summer stadium tour across Europe, UK and Russia. The legendary drummer hailed them as “his favourite new band” and described them as “Insanely fucking cool” after hearing their first album “Divide & Conquer”.

Their ferocious debut was hailed by critics across the world and made it on to several “Best Of” lists in 2017. Metal Hammer UK called the album one of the best debuts of 2017 and included it in their Top 100 albums of the same year. Their sophomore album “Crimson Riders” followed in 2019, and “Molotov Rocktail”, through Napalm Records, two years after. In 2020 the band released an EP from their BBC Radio 1 live session at the legendary Maida Vale studio in London, and were nominated for a Spellemannprisen award, also considered a “Norwegian Grammy”, as “Breakthrough Of The Year”.

In 2021, Bokassa was awarded the prestigious “Bendiksenprisen” from their fellow Norwegian musicians, for their excellent live performances, with the jury stating that “It is on stage that the music really comes into its own. The winner has a stage presence that not only asks for the audience’s attention but outright demands it!” In other words, you don’t wanna miss these guys live!

Never ones to rest on their laurels, in 2022, they played across Europe and the UK as part of a (co)-headline tour, at festivals such as Paaspop, Download Festival, Tons of Rock, Hellfest, Wacken Open Air, Rockfest, and Full Metal Holiday. In 2023 they went on to appear at the Rockwave festival in Greece, the Full Metal Cruise and the Open Flair Festival in Weltturbojugendtage Germany alongside a full European run with Therapy?! While 2024 saw them play Wacken Open Air, Resurrection, and Greenfield Festival. In 2025, the band are set to grace stages at Mystic Festival in Poland, Finland’s Tuska Festival, and Germany’s Rockharz Festival.

HEAVEN SHALL BURN Release First Song + Video ‘My Revocation of Compliance’ from Upcoming Album “Heimat”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo Credit: Jens Koch — Artwork by Eliran Kantor

HEAVEN SHALL BURN have released “My Revocation of Compliance,” the first song and video from their upcoming album “Heimat,” set to release on June 27, 2025. The album, produced at their own studio, The Dude Ranch , features artwork by Eliran Kantor and mixing by Tue Madsen.

“Heimat,” meaning “home” in German, explores the concept of homeland in a broad and inclusive sense. Guitarist Maik Weichert explains that the album addresses various interpretations of “Heimat,” including spiritual and emotional connections.

The band has previously released two singles, “Keinen Schritt zurück” (feat. Donots) and “Schweineherbst” (feat. Dÿse). The new song, “My Revocation of Compliance,” reflects the band’s stance against political and social complacency.

“Heimat” will be available in multiple formats, including limited edition vinyl and CDs.

Track Listing:
Ad Arma
War Is The Father Of All
My Revocation Of Compliance
Confounder
Empowerment
A Whisper From Above
Imminence
Those Left Behind
Ten Days In May
Numbered Days (feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage)
Dora
A Silent Guard
Inter Arma

Pre-order the album at https://heavenshallburn.lnk.to/Heimat-AlbumEU

Don’t miss their exclusive release shows and festival appearances this summer!

06-08.06.25 (DE) Rock Am Ring – Nuerburg
06-08.06.25 (DE) Rock Im Park – Nuernberg
06-08.06.25 (CZ) Metalfest Pilsen – Pilsen
10.06.25 (SLO) Ljubljana – Media Center
11.06.25 (AT) Kufstein – Festung
13.06.25 (CH) Greenfield – Interlaken
14.06.25 (AT) Nova Rock – Nickelsdorf
21.06.25 (DK) Copenhell – Copenhagen
22.06.25 (BE) Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel
26.06.25 (NL) Jera On Air – Ysselsteyn
27.06.25 (DE) Impericon Festival – Leipzig
28.06.25 (DE) Vainstream Rockfest – Muenster
03.07.25 (DE) Rockharz Festival – Ballenstedt