CIRKUS PRĂTZ releases âHandyman Boogieâ, the second single from the upcoming studio album âManifestoâ which will be released on 18.04.2025 on Metalville Records.
The song is a tribute to the swedish actor Peter Stormare ArbrĂĽ and his character Karl Hungus in the movie “The Big Lebowski” from 1998. Peter plays porn actor Karl Hungus who seduces the women as cable expert.
The Swedish blues rock band CIRKUS PRĂTZ have improved from album to album in their career. In order to top their previous achievements once again, they have brought producer, multi-musician, bandleader and songwriter Peter Tägtgren (Pain, Hypocrisy, Lindemann, Sabaton and many more) on board for “Manifesto”.
âWe had the feeling that we wanted to take our music further into the future. We needed a push forward and a new sound,â explains the band’s singer and guitarist Christian Carlsson.
âI’ve known Peter for quite a long time and have been a fan of his work over the years, especially with Pain. We talked about working together a few years ago and now it’s finally happened,â says the band’s bassist Jerry PrĂźtz, adding that Peter has really inspired the band both musically and lyrically.
âIt shouldn’t sound old school or like an old blues album,â was Peter Tägtgren’s motto for the entire process.
The ten songs on “Manifesto” talk about everything from drag racing to casino visits in Las Vegas, from stalking like in the Netflix series “Baby Reindeer” to an homage to Peter Stormare’s iconic character Karl Hungus in the film “The Big Lebowski”.
Sound and songwriting are right up to date. All the songs were written by the band together in the rehearsal room and were then given the necessary finishing touches by Peter Tägtgren in his studio. The mastering was in the hands of Jonas Kjellgren, who was also responsible for the production of the last “Sabaton” albums.
In a musical genre where most things follow tradition, Cirkus PrĂźtz stand out and dare to challenge themselves, but also their audience.
Manifesto is a blues rock album with many facets!
TRACK LISTING
White Knuckle Blues Drinking Muddy Water Handyman Boogie Walking In The Rain The Blues Is The Cure Living Like A God Twenty4seven Blues Pack Your Bags Highroller (Try Me Out) Water Into Wine
LINE UP Cristian Carlsson – lead vocals, guitar Franco Santunione – guitar, vocals Jerry PrĂźtz – bass, vocals Per Kohlus – drums
BraveWords Records is excited to release the new Jack Starr music video for the lead track “Rise Up”. The single is taken from his new solo album,”Out of the Darkness Part II” which will be released April 25, 2025.
Listen to “Rise Up” from the album Out of the Darkness Part II on streaming services:Â https://smarturl.it/jackstarr
Jack Starr talking about the new single and video, âRise Up is a song about the centuries old fight for freedom and liberty that has been going on since the dawn of time. There have always been injustice and leaders who rule by fear but at the same time there have been brave men who have stood up and asserted their right to live free.
Rise Up has a universal message of the importance of personal liberty that will appeal to all people of all political persuasions because even though it may be expressed differently at the end of the day people want to live their lives in peace even if it is sometimes requires a struggle to achieve that.”
Watch the video: Jack Starr âRise Upâ Official Music Video from Out Of The Darkness Part II on BraveWords Records:
Track Listing: Hand Of Doom Endless Night Into The Pit Rise Up Underneath The Velvet Sky Tonight We Ride The Night Has A Thousand Eyes Sahara Winds The Greater Good Soulkeeper Savage At The Gate (Bonus Track) The Lesson (Bonus Track)
Giles Lavery – Vocals (Warlord / Alcatrazz) Jack Starr – Lead Guitar Eric Juris – Lead Guitar (Warlord) Gene Cooper – Bass Rhino – Drums (Ex Manowar)
Guests Mark Zonder – Drums (Warlord ex Fates Warning) Jimmy Waldo – Keyboards (Alcatrazz / Warlord / New England)
Produced and mixed by Thomas Mergler Co-Produced by Giles Lavery & Jack Starr
About Jack Starr: Starr emerged on the rock and metal scene in 1981, forming, together with Joey Ayvazian, David DeFeis and Joe OâRielly, the first incarnation of the heavy metal band Virgin Steele. The new band was selected in 1982 by Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records to appear on the label’s compilation album U.S. Metal Volume 2. After only two albums, Virgin Steele of 1981 and Guardians of the Flame of 1982, Starr left Virgin Steele in 1983. Â In 1984, Starr started his solo recording career with the album Out of the Darkness, featuring former Riot vocalist Rhett Forrester, members of The Rods and former Rainbow drummer Gary Driscoll. It was released in Europe by Music for Nations and was picked as one of the best albums of the year by the music magazines Kerrang! and Metal Forces. Â Starr changed the name of his band to Jack Starr’s Burning Starr and between 1984 and 1989 he produced albums, both solo and with the band. The music of those albums was classic American eighties heavy metal, a style between Poison and Metallica. In 1989 the band dissolved and Starr joined short-lived bands like Strider and Smoke Stack Lightning. Â In the following years, Starr once again assembled a group of musicians for a new incarnation of Burning Starr, which performed at the Magic Circle Festival 2008 and released the album Defiance on Manowar’s label Magic Circle Music in 2009. In 2011 they released Land of the Dead with Limb Music. The albums includes ex-Manowar guest musicians Ross the Boss and David Shankle. The band played at the 2013 Keep It True festival and recorded a DVD.
Fearlessly experimental, deliciously irreverent and defiantly unclassifiable for 25 years, Stockholmâs GĂśsta Berlings Saga have announced the release of Forever Now, their highly anticipated 7th studio album, on 6th June via Pelagic Records. The quintet have also unveiled the first single / video ‘Through The Arches’.
The band comment on the new single: “‘Through the Arches’ is GBS in 2025 – pure and amplified. One of the first tracks completed for the new album, it packs all the classic GBS ingredients, but turned up a few notches. Melodic, cosmic, chaotic, euphoricâall in one track. The accompanying video, crafted by Martin Gustafsson, is a visual journey into the everlasting and beyond, perfectly capturing the songâs essence.”
A masterful collision of intricate songwriting, raw rock spontaneity and their signature disregard for genre limitations, Forever Now rests on no laurels; itâs a driving continuation of a journey that suggests, even after two decades and counting, the bandâs best work may still be ahead of them.
On the new album, the band continue: “Super stoked to soon unleash Forever Now upon the world. Itâs an album weâve put our heart, soul and every atom of our beings into. Written, recorded, mixed and produced by ourselves it fills us with great pride that even after 20+ years we still find joy, creativity and new ways to approach music. Forever Now is a journey in search of small fragments of eternity within the present moment – where time dissolves, and music becomes the gateway to the infinite.”
Track list: 1. Full Release 2. Through The Arches 3. Arrangements 4. Forever Now 5. The Sprig and the Birch 6. Fragment II 7. Ascension 8. Dog Years 9. Make of Your Heart a Stone 10. Ceremonial
Stockholm, the saga began in 2000 with a creative spark keenly felt between keyboardist David Lundberg and drummer Alexander Skepp. Taking formative inspiration from the â60s jazz fusion improvisations of fellow Swedes Hansson & Karlsson, GĂśsta Berlings Saga broadened their sonic palette with the addition of bassist Gabriel Tapper and guitarist Mathias Danielsson before the release of their debut album Tid Ăr Ljud in 2006. Danielsson subsequently left the project to be replaced by Einar Baldursson, contributing to the darker and more complex sound of 2009âs Detta Har Hänt, 2011âs Glue Works and 2016âs Sersophane.
The overt manipulation of sound and melody on this trio of early releases helped set GĂśsta Berlings Saga apart from the rest of the progressive pack, swerving easy clichĂŠ and navel gazing nostalgia in favour of a fervently forward-thinking ethos. Undoubtedly influenced by the greats of prog, art-rock, electronica and the avant-garde, GĂśsta Berlings Saga have remained thrillingly impervious to categorisation.
2017 saw another evolution within the band as Baldursson left to be replaced with Rasmus Booberg whilst percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Jesper Skarin also joined the ranks. Rejuvenated and revitalised, GĂśsta Berlings Sagaâs subsequent albums, ET EX (2018) and Konkret Music (2020), introduced a whole new audience to the bandâs idiosyncratic fearless experimentation, breakneck rock ânâ roll infused with even more found sound electronics and sonic obscura. Uncompromising and utterly distinct, these albums solidified the bandâs belief that staying true to their own artistic vision was always the only way forward.
Forever Now is 10 tracks of hand-crafted chaos that bear all the brilliance of GĂśsta Berlings Sagaâs 25 years of irreverent innovation. Entirely written, recorded, produced and mixed by the band for the very first time, the album sees synthesizers and arpeggiated guitars spiral ever higher, colliding with helter skelter percussion and pulse-racing drums on the way, whilst the bandâs innate trust in each other and in their music form the propulsive core of a perpetual energy engine five years in the making.
Although not established as a concept album as such, personal tragedies during the early writing process ultimately left their mark. For a time the band tried to separate their collective creativity from the events of their private lives but, rather than grief and darkness making their presence felt, GĂśsta Berlings Saga built this album on the pursuit of the eternal – a euphoric glimpse beyond time, where music becomes a bridge between the present and what was and will be, echoing connections that never fade.
GĂśsta Berlings Saga are: Jesper Skarin – Percussion Gabriel Tapper – Bass David Lundberg – Keys Rasmus Booberg – Guitars Alexander Skepp – Drums
In honor of tonight’s full blood worm moon and lunar eclipse, emerging dark folk project HRAFNAGALDR is debuting its first ever single, “HailiĂžĹ.” The project is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist HrĂmhjarta (UADA, Altars of the Moon, etc.) and features a guest appearance by celloist Kakophonix (Osi & the Jupiter, Opus Est Sanare) and is devoted to the thursian current of MyrkĂžursablĂłt..
Listen to the haunting and ambient new song HERE.
More music is to come soon – stay tuned!
Deep within the winters of 2020, when the world came to an eerie silence, Hrafnagaldr, a dark folk/ambient project created by HrĂmhjarta (Nate Verschoor /// Uada, Altars of The Moon), was born. Initially created as a one-off dark ambient project, Hrafnagaldrâs first offering was a complete ambient score to the book MyrkĂžursablĂłt: Nightside of the Old Norse Mythology, which HrĂmhjarta authored and published through the now at rest, Fall of Man Publishing. Various singles were written, mostly uploaded to the void of the internet through Bandcamp, mostly just as a way of spiritual expression with no sight of âsuccess,â so no truly serious intent was ever meant.
Fast forward to 2025, and that intent has drastically changed. After many otherworldly and explainable experiences through spiritual practice and the holy presence of divine power, Hrafnagaldr now has a purpose and that purpose is to heal. Our world, our people, our collective consciousness, is in dire need of healing, and with a new sense of purpose and giving heed to divine call, the music of Hrafnagaldr will be its vessel.
The first offering, âHailiĂžĹ,â an old Proto-Germanic word meaning âwholeness, healthâ is the debut single to mark into stone the rebirth of Hrafnagaldr. The debut, full-length album, âWebanÄ â is currently in the works and will be released in due time…
.: May healing, wisdom and abundance flow through you :.
Portland’s blackened death-mongers DROUTH return this spring for the release of their 3rd album, The Teeth of Time, out May 16th with Eternal Warfare Records. The band’s long-awaited follow-up to 2020’s acclaimed Excerpts From a Dread Liturgy, is an intense, doom-ridden record wrought with torment and turbulence.
Commenting on the record, the band says:
âWe are proud to present The Teeth of Time, a culmination of several years of blood, sweat and pain. It is a nightmare made manifest, and we are both eager to share our creative work and grateful to the many people who helped make it possible.â
Today, DROUTH shares the first new track, “False Grail,” from the impending record. First revealed at InvisibleOranges.com, the song is an ominous foreboding of the sonic hellscape unfolding within The Teeth of Time.
Bassist Matt Solis, says of the new song:
â‘False Grailâ is actually the last song we wrote before heading to the studio to record the album. It came together relatively quickly based on ideas that Stikker brought inâhe had it pretty well fleshed out, but we made some arrangement adjustments together and expanded the closing doom section to really emphasize the dynamic shift in the song. We also knew we wanted string accompaniment in that section, so we had Eva Vonne from Isenordal add layers of mournful viola after the initial tracking was completed.â
Vocalist/guitarist Matt Stikker adds:
“Lyrically, the song is a nightmare reflecting the disconnect between the true and projected self and the increasing tension between those poles that weâre all experiencing. The map is not the territory, but when the map prefigures and gradually dictates the territory, our agency is threatened forever.â
The Teeth of Time Tracklist: 1. Hurl Your Thunderbolt Even Unto Death 2. False Grail 3. The Teeth of Time 4. Through a Glass, Darkly 5. Exult, Ye Flagellant
About DROUTH: Portlandâs Drouth formed in 2012, originally under the name Contempt before changing their moniker following the release of their 2014 EP Skinwalker. The band stirred the local scene with their potent mixture of black metal, death metal, doom, and crust, and went on to release another EP, Vast, Loathsome (2015) and two albums Knives, Labyrinths, Mirrors (2017) and Excerpts From a Dread Liturgy (2020). Their follow up, The Teeth of Time was recorded and mixed with legendary engineer Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Cattle Decapitation) and mastered by Justin Weis (Agalloch, Hammers of Misfortune) and features five tracks of vicious, melodically adventurous black/death metal spread across 40 unrelenting minutes.
Drouth is: Matt Stikker: Guitar, vocals, lyrics Patrick Fiorentino: Drums John Edwards: Guitar, vocals Matt Solis: Bass
Samantha Fish, âa genuine force of sonic prowessâ (Rolling Stone) and one of the most electrifying guitarists of her generation, has shared new single âIâm Done Runninââ â the lead-off track from her forthcoming album Paper Doll, out April 25 via Rounder Records.
An exhilarating statement of self-reliance and unshakable confidence, Fish brings her signature âbold and expressiveâ (NPR, World Cafe) flair to the new song. âIâm Done Runninââ opens with sublimely moody riffs, fueled by her extraordinary vocal power and emotionality: âWhen I look in the mirror, staring at the unknown / The worldâs not getting clearer, but I like where Iâm goin,ââ she sings. âItâs about pushing forward even when life knocks you down, because you know what you want,â Fish explains.
Itâs this vibrant, unapologetic energy that the Kansas City-bred, New Orleans-based musician brings to Paper Doll, each song delivered with visceral force, soul-soothing empathy, and newfound clarity. âItâs taken me years to finally find my voice in a studio setting,â Fish admits. âBut with this record, I took everything I had and slammed it right on the table.” Paper Doll offers listeners âa taste of the neo-psychedelic fantasias that can occur when Fish stretches out in concert,â said Premier Guitar, who featured Fish on the cover of their just-released April 2025 issue. Throughout the album Fish explores new depths of vulnerability and self-expression, confronting love, loss, and personal growthâall while âstretching idiomatic boundariesâ (Nashville Scene).
Tracked in Austin at The Orb and Los Angeles at Savannah Studios, the 9-song collection was recorded amid Fishâs grueling touring schedule, ultimately capturing the untamed energy of her live performances. âIâd never made a record on the road like that,â Fish reveals. âEven though it was so intense, it felt good to keep up the momentum from the live show. It helped us make an album thatâs got a real living, breathing pulse to it.â Paper Doll is produced by Detroit garage-rock legend Bobby Harlow (The Go) – with assistance from fellow Detroit luminary Mick Collins (The Gories) on one track – and features touring bandmates Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys).
Known for her unique blend of rock and soul, expressive guitar playing and powerhouse performances, Fish’s career hit warp speed with the release of her last album, 2023âs Death Wish Blues, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, earned her a Grammy nomination, and saw her share stages with The Rolling Stones, Jon Spencer, Slash and more.
Fish will tour across the US and UK throughout 2025, including dates with Kingfish, plus performances at JazzFest and more. For tickets and all upcoming tour dates please visit https://www.samanthafish.com/tour/.
Samantha Fish 2025 Tour Dates 3.21.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL 3.22.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL 3.23.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL 3.24.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL 3.25.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL 3.26.2025 – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea – Miami, FL 3.28.2025 – Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee – Immokalee, FL 4.1.2025 – Count Basie Center – Experience Hendrix Tour – Red Bank, NJ 4.2.2025 – Mayo Performing Arts Center – Experience Hendrix Tour – Morristown, NJ 4.3.2025 – Hampton Beach Casino – Experience Hendrix Tour – Hampton Beach, NH 4.4.2025 – Ocean Casino Resort – Experience Hendrix Tour – Atlantic City, NJ 4.5.2025 – Warner Theatre – Experience Hendrix Tour – Washington, DC 4.6.2025 – DPAC – Experience Hendrix Tour – Durham, NC 4.8.2025 – North Charleston PAC – Experience Hendrix Tour – Charleston, SC 4.9.2025 – Ovens Auditorium – Experience Hendrix Tour – Charlotte, NC 4.10.2025 – Tennessee Theatre – Experience Hendrix Tour – Knoxville, TN 4.11.2025 – Peace Concert Hall – Experience Hendrix Tour – Greenville, SC 4.12.2025 – Fox Theater – Experience Hendrix Tour – Atlanta, GA 4.30.2025 – Crawfish Fest – New Orleans, LA 5.3.2025 – JazzFest – New Orleans, LA 5.14.2025 – Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX * 5.15.2025 – House of Blues – Houston, TX * 5.16.2025 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX * 5.17.2025 – TempleLive – Fort Smith, AR * 5.18.2025 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK * 5.21.2025 – The Astro – Omaha, NE * 5.22.2025 – Cotillion – Wichita, KS * 5.23.2025 – Gillioz Theater – Springfield, MO * 5.28.2025 – Cheese & Grain – Frome, United Kingdom 5.29.2025 â Red Rooster Festival, Thetford, United Kingdom 5.30.2025 – Arts Club – Liverpool, United Kingdom 5.31.2025 – The Brook – Southampton, United Kingdom 6.1.2025 – Academy 2 – Oxford, United Kingdom 6.5.2025 â Sweden Rock Festival â Solvesborg, Sweden 6.7.2025 – Peer Blues Festival – Peer, Belgium 6.8.2025 – Ribs N Blues Festival â Raalte, The Netherlands 6.9.2025 – Tivoli â Utrecht, The Netherlands 6.10.2025 – Le Trianon – Paris, France 6.11.2025 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France 6.13.2025 – Bilbao Arena â Bilbao, Spain 6.14.2025 – Joy Eslava, Madrid, Spain 6.15.2025 – Razmataz 2, Barcelona, Spain 7.12.2025 – Samantha Fish Outlaw Square – Deadwood, SD *
Kimmo Kuusniemiâs 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 Kuusniemiâs 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 âAurora Nuclearisâ, 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 ) 