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CONQUEST Release New Single/Video ‘Love Amplified’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CONQUEST. Leave a comment

Last year, veteran Midwest metallists CONQUEST returned with their latest album, ‘Paradox.’ And now, the lads are prepared to unleash their latest single/video, “Love Amplified.” And like their previous standout offerings, “Walking Dead” and “The Writings on the Wall,” “Love Amplified” merges metal with melody, and measures up mightily to the current competition. Local fans will be able to hear the song performed live soon, as several performances have been confirmed. 

“A strong, in your face hard rock song about the love of playing guitar, drums, bass, whatever it is that you love to play as a musical instrument,” explains the group’s singer/guitarist, Derrick Brumley. “A very cool track to play live – the audience seems to love it, and we truly enjoy playing it!” 

Drummer Lee Skyles also holds the track in high regard: “‘Love Amplified’ was definitely one of those songs we wrote that was outside of our norm. When Mike Crook played this cool guitar intro to the song, excitement set in and we knew we were on to something different. It’s one of those upbeat, feel good songs that get you on your feet, and will make you move however you move! For me, I love the lead solos, as they are tasty, raw, and full of pizzazz! I think folks will really like the tune on loud! Turn it up to 11!” 

Comprised of Brumley, Crook, Skyles, and bassist Rob Boyer, Conquest’s latest LP, ‘Paradox’ (which can be streamed or ordered via https://lnk.to/conquestparadox), was produced and engineered by Derrick (and mixed by Adam Long), and is getting rave reviews via metal media, including the Rock You Show site saying “I have to give this one 9.5 out of 10 “Flaming Fist”. You nearly get 2 albums worth of great quality music, including a stellar cover of Rainbow’s “Man on the Silver Mountain”. I thank them personally for keeping the metal torch lit in these times of darkness”. 

UPCOMING LIVE SHOWS:

February 8th  Red Fish Blue Fish St Charles Missouri
March 8th      Pops Concert Club Sauget Illinois
May 10th       The Diamond Music Hall St Peters Missouri
June 27th      The Mill Granite City Illinois ( support for the Iron Maidens)

‘Paradox’ Tracklisting:

  1. Of The Devil’s Creed
  2. Walking Dead
  3. Save Me
  4. He Shall Return
  5. Celtic Mist
  6. Love Amplified
  7. Valley Of The Damned
  8. Dying To Live
  9. World Of Hate
  10. Writing On The Wall
  11. King Of The World
  12. In The Heavens
  13. Babylon America
  14. The Killing Time
  15. Last Goodbye
  16. Man On The Silver Mountain

For further information on Conquest please visit:

Website: conquestmetal.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conquestrocks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conquestmetal/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Conquestmetal
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/7bTGxUCcsmp3KBIScrFRiB

SAOR Premieres New Album “Amidst the Ruins”, Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SAOR. Leave a comment
Photo by © David Ruff

Among the whispers of timeless glens, Saor breathe new life into the spirits of the past. Inspired by a hilly walk through an older world, Andy Marshall and his band of Caledonian warriors have crafted a majestic symphony that wields the intensity of black metal with Celtic folk melodic in the enthralling form of their new album.  

“Amidst the Ruins stretches Saor in new and interesting ways”, Angry Metal Guy writes in a 4/5 review. “Anyone with a mere passing interest in folksy black metal will undoubtedly glean much from Amidst the Ruins“.   

Amidst the Ruins was released yesterday, Friday, February 7 on Season of Mist, and you can hear all five monumental songs today by listening to the full album stream on our YouTube channel. 

Order the album at https://orcd.co/saoramidsttheruins

Amidst the Ruins pays a towering tribute to the ancestral spirits and untamed landscapes of Caledonia. With each song, Saor recalls tales of yore, opening a door into Scotland’s storied past.  

“The Glen of Sorrow” paints the tragic saga of the Massacre of Glencoe. With a spellbinding appearance from internationally acclaimed cellist Jo Quail, “The Sylvan Embrace” reaches into the heart of Scotland’s forests. “Echoes of the Ancient Land” inspires awe. And while “Rebirth” ends the album amidst a 14-minute transformative journey, it’s the title track that lies at the album’s mystical core. “Amidst the Runs” reflects on the bridge between the relics of Scotland’s noble past and the ephemeral distractions of modern life, calling out to the enduring legacy of the land and for us to reconnect with the sacred threads of tradition.

Tracklist:
1. Amidst the Ruins (12:41) [WATCH]
2. Echoes of the Ancient Land (11:41)
3. Glen of Sorrow (12:05)
4. The Sylvan Embrace (8:19) [WATCH]
5. Rebirth (14:10) [WATCH]
Full runtime: 58:57

To commemorate the arrival of their new album, Saor are setting out on tour. Hear them perform Amidst the Ruins for the first time during the band’s upcoming 20-date trek across the United Kingdom and Europe. 

Get tickets: https://www.saormusic.com/tour-dates

Saor Amidst the Ruins 2025 UK & EU Tour
Feb 8 – Glasgow, UK – Classic Grand (ALBUM LAUNCH w/ Domhain & Ofnus)
Feb 13 – Bristol, UK – The Exchange
Feb 14 – Birmingham, UK – The Flapper
Feb 15 – York, UK – Fulford Arms
Mar 15 – Great Yarmouth, UK – HRH Spring Break 2
Mar 28 – Arnhem, NL – Willemeen
Mar 29 – The Hague, NL – Paard
Mar 30 – Kassel, DE – Goldgrube
Apr 17 – Weinheim, DE – Café Central
Apr 18 – Graz, AT – Explosiv
Apr 19 – Munich, DE – Dark Easter Metal Meeting
Apr 20 – Aarburg, CH – Musigburg
Apr 21 – Prague, CZ – Futurum Music Bar
Apr 22 – Poznan, PL – Klub 2progi
Apr 23 – Leipzig, DE – Hellraiser
Apr 24 – Lichtenfels, DE – Ragnarök Festival
Apr 25 – Bochum, DE – Matrix
Apr 26 – Paris, FR – Petit Bain
Apr 27 – Lyon, FR – Le Marché Gare
May 16 – Roggentin, DE, Dat Unland Fier

Out of the mists, where lore whispers in the winds, SAOR, the heralds of Caledonia’s primeval beauty and ancient tales, rise once again to enrapture souls far and wide. Their newest offering, Amidst the Ruins, is an epic voyage set to rekindle the fires of heritage and resurrect the valor that courses through Scotland’s vast landscapes.

Since their emergence in 2013, SAOR has beckoned listeners to transcend the mortal plain, intertwining the ferocity of atmospheric black metal with the gentle, haunting melodies of Celtic fold. Andy Marshall, the sage bard and architect of SAOR‘s sound, continues his pilgrimage through the verdant glens and stark highlands, revealing sights both ethereal and eternal through his music.

Building upon the chronicles of old, the forthcoming album Amidst the Ruins stands proud, a timeless sentinel amidst the sands of time. For in this work, Marshall, the visionary, has deftly woven strands of modern-life dissonance into the rich tapestry of Scottish lore, enshrining the enigmatic contrast between the remnants of a glorious yore and the often-elusive grasp of the present day. This auditory saga resounds with the resonance of ruined structures and forgotten paths, its melodies steeped in the reverence for sacred ground and a lament for the disconnect wrought by modernity.

Delve deep and you shall find Echoes of the Ancient Land, a heartfelt tribute to Scotland’s timeless landscapes and their profound ancestral connections. Through The Sylvan Embrace, SAOR imparts a harmonious sanctuary, a sylvan retreat where solace is found, and spirits are soothed. With Rebirth, the cycle is complete, weaving an intricate spell of transformation and new dawns.

The band’s odyssey upon the stage is nothing less than transcendental, as audiences bear witness to the heart of their aural fables brought vividly to life. These live performances stand as sacred rituals, bridging the veil between epochs, inviting all to partake in the shared legacy of the Scottish Highlands.

In Amidst the Ruins, the warriors of SAOR cast a clarion call to awaken from the lethargy of modern existence, to reclaim the essence of a heritage laid asunder. From the vibrant resonance of ancient battles to the hushed despair of Glencoe’s betrayed souls, every note spills forth like blood of the fallen seeping into the heathered earth.

As we stand on the cusp of this new era, Amidst the Ruins, the latest chronicle unfolds. SAOR‘s watchful eye turns to the horizon, the whispering woods, the twilight skies, and the sleeping stones bearing seers’ dreams, evoking the indomitable spirit of the realm. In their hands, the past is resurrected; its tales to be retold for those who would heed the call—SAOR, remain the ceaseless bards of Caledonia unbroken.

Line-up:
Andy Marshall – All Composition, Writing & Instrumentation

Guest Musicians:
Ella Zlotos – Female Vocals, Tin Whistles, Low Whistles, Uilleann Pipes
Carlos Vivas – Drums
Jo Quail – Cello & FX on “The Sylvan Embrace”
Àngela Moya Serrat – Violin on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” & “Rebirth” Miguel Izquierdo – Viola on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” & “Rebirth”
Samuel C. Ledesma – Cello on “Amidst the Ruins”, “Echoes of the Ancient Land” & “Rebirth

Recording:
Andy Marshall – Vocals, Guitars, Bass recorded at Fortriu Studios, Scotland
Nikolaus Jira – Female Vocals, Tin Whistles, Low Whistles and Uilleann Pipes recorded at NikolausRecordings Studio, Germany
Jose Garrido and Daniel Sabugal – Drums recorded at NewLife Studios, Spain
Mattias Eklund – Violin, Viola and Cello recorded at Farkosten Studios, Spain
Chris Fielding – Mixing and Guitar reamping at Penylan Studio, Wales
Tony Lindgren – Mastering at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden

Biography:
Saor
Edits by Sébastien Gamez

Cover Art:
Julian Bauer (@julianb_art)
Website: https://julianbauer.com/
Layout by Adrien Bousson

Follow Saor:
Official Website: https://www.saormusic.com
Official Store: https://store.saormusic.com
Bandcamp: https://saor.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saorofficial
YouTube: https://youtube.com/saormusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saormusic
Bandsintown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/4099241-saor
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rHMzJ1RKUMtid1K2QEYbr
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/saor/879243889
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/6768301
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/5653569

DAVID J Introduces New Single ‘Funny Valentine’ from “Gothic Valentines” Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: David J, Gothic Valentines. Leave a comment

Former Bauhaus and Love & Rockets mainstay David J continues his remarkable run of recent singles (“Christmases When You Were Mine,” “Night of the Vampire” and his acclaimed duet with Melanie on her own “Beautiful People”) with a shimmering, fragile take on the immortal “My Funny Valentine.”

Taken from Cleopatra Records’ upcoming Gothic Valentines album, “My Funny Valentine” was first heard in the Rodgers/Hart musical Babes In Arms back in 1937. Since that time, this love song for a less than lovely-looking paramour… “your looks are laughable, unphotographable, yet you’re my favorite work of art”… has been covered by upwards of 600 artists in the years since teenager Mitzi Green first voiced it, from Frank Sinatra and Julie London to Elvis Costello and Nico.  

It was also inducted into the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2015, in recognition of the song’s “cultural, artistic and/or historical significance to American society and the nation’s audio legacy.”

“I’ve always loved this classic song,” says David J, “and thought that a ‘cold wave’ synth version in collaboration with my talented friend, Jon Bernstein, would suit the tone of the album.”

He was correct. It does.

Listen to the SINGLE: https://orcd.co/ej5qaoa

The Gothic Valentines album itself, as the title suggests, is, a seasonally sensitive gathering of exclusive new recordings and much-loved classics by Switchblade Symphony, Iggy Pop, David J, Ministry, Cinderella, Leæther Strip, Soft Cell, and Joy Division – plus, in case you missed it, David J and Melanie’s “Beautiful People,” casting David J as the Lee Hazelwood to Melanie’s Nancy Sinatra.

Elsewhere across the two CDs, goth legends Rosetta Stone, Sex Beat, the Skeletal Family, Christian Death and Gene Loves Jezebel join upcoming favorites  Lebanon Hangover, Sonsombre and The KVB in redrafting February 14 in the blackest of hearts and the finest of fishnets.

And don’t forget the eye liner!

Gothic Valentines CD/VINYL pre-order: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=gothic+valentines
Gothic Valentines digital pre-order: https://orcd.co/gothicvalentines

CALVA LOUISE Delve Further into Their Cinematic Universe on New Single ‘WTF’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CALVA LOUISE. Leave a comment
Photo (c) Henry Calvert

Calva Louise burst into 2025 with the release of their relentlessly captivating new single, “WTF. ” The song delves further into their own cinematic universe. Watch the incredible video for “WTF.” It’s out now on Mascot Records.
 
Fresh from a breakout performance at Shiprocked Festival last week alongside the likes of Parkway Drive, Nothing More, The Ghost Inside, Kid Kapichi and more, they’re setting the start of the year alight with the new single produced by Pendulum’s Gareth McGrillen along with Mazare and Calva Louise’ Jess Allanic. 
 
They will also join Bloodywood on their European tour starting in Copenhagen,  Denmark on 21 February, which will call through Norway, Sweden, Poland, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and finishing in London, UK on 27 March.
 
The band have picked up support from BBC Radio 1, including spins on the Rock Show, Introducing Rock Show, Future Alternative, and Future Artists, playlisting at Kerrang! Radio and Primordial, as well as support at Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, Kerrang and Revolver magazine who in November, delved into their “multinational roots and multiple-worlds-spanning vision.”

The video is set in January 1994, and “WTF” introduces the protagonist, Louise, who is experiencing bizarre happenings inside her home. Set in the universe laid out in their previous singles, Louise encounters a feeling of dread signalling danger: someone is inside her home and stalking her.
 
She catches glimpses of what has been stalking her: an uncanny version of herself, her “double.” We follow her as terror and courage take hold as she experiences a glitch through reality: the real world is not what she had been told. Aligning herself with those circumstances, she voluntarily accepts contact with her double, exclaiming, “WTF!”
 
Talking about the song, Jess Allanic says, “WTF is about that feeling of powerlessness that occurs when we are in situations beyond our control. Even being stoic or positive is not enough to withstand and face the challenges thrown at us, but at the same time, we don’t want to completely give up. The song deals with that limbo of falling apart while not wanting to succumb to nihilism. It’s an angry cry at whatever forces are listening, asking: “WTF am I meant to do?”

2024 was a big year for the band, which saw them tour the US with Vukovi along with festival slots at Welcome to Rockville, So What? and Sonic Temple. They pulled off phenomenal performances at Download Festival (UK), 2000Trees (UK) and Vainstream Rockfest (Germany) – not to mention a breathtaking UK headline tour.
 
Once again, Allanic directs, edits and does the VFX for the video. “WTF” is linked to the previous single, La Corriente, where the two are entwined into the story of Under The Skin. Talking about the songs, Allanic says,” ‘La Corriente’ is indirectly part of the sequel of ‘Under The Skin’, as the beginning of the prequel takes place in 1994: the day a young Jonnie had to agree to become an apprentice to a commander coming from the Fractalworld. ‘La Corriente’ takes place at the show where his fate is sealed, setting the tone of the story that unfolds on ‘WTF'”
 
The British-based band is truly International, with its members hailing from across the globe. It has been ripping through the UK underground for the past few years, driven by the creative vision of Venezuelan-born Jess Allanic (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard), French-born Alizon Taho (Bass/Backing Vocals—France), and New Zealander Ben Parker (Drums/Backing Vocals).

European Tour With Bloodywood.
 
21-Feb – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio – TICKETS
23-Feb – Oslo, Norway – John Dee – TICKETS
24-Feb – Stockholm, Sweden – Debaser – TICKETS
25-Feb – Malmo, Sweden – Plan B – TICKETS
27-Feb – Warsaw, Poland – Proxima – TICKETS
28-Feb – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys – TICKETS
02-Mar – Hamburg, Germany – Docks – TICKETS
03-Mar – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg – TICKETS
05-Mar – Antwerp, Belgium – Trix – TICKETS
06-Mar – Cologne, Germany – Live Music Hall – TICKETS
07-Mar – Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp – TICKETS
08-Mar – Stuttgart, Germany – Longhorn – TICKETS
09-Mar – Leipzig, Germany – Täubchenthal – TICKETS
11-Mar – Prague, Czech Republic – Roxy – TICKETS
12-Mar – Munich, Germany – Backstage Werk – TICKETS
14-Mar – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer – TICKETS
15-Mar – Milan, Italy – Teatro Principe – TICKETS
16-Mar – Zurich, Switzerland – Komplex 457 – TICKETS
17-Mar – Lyon, France – La Rayonne – TICKETS
19-Mar – Paris, France – Bataclan – TICKETS
20-Mar – Lille, France – L’Aeronef – TICKETS
22-Mar – Birmingham, UK – Institute – TICKETS
23-Mar – Glasgow, UK – SWG3 Galvanizers – TICKETS
25-Mar – Manchester, UK O2 Ritz – TICKETS
26-Mar – Bristol, UK – O2 Academy – TICKETS
27-Mar – London, UK – O2 Kentish Town Forum – TICKETS

DIRKSCHNEIDER Launch Emotionally Charged Single + Video ‘Winter Dreams’ Feat. Doro Pesch

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DIRKSCHNEIDER, Doro Pesch. Leave a comment

DIRKSCHNEIDER are gearing up for the release of their eagerly anticipated album “Balls To The Wall Reloaded,” scheduled for release on February 28, 2025 through RPM. Alongside this, they are excited to showcase ‘Winter Dreams,’ the second single from their anniversary re-recording of the cult ACCEPT record. This track reveals a softer side of the album while preserving a meaningful lyrical depth, making it an emotional anthem of freedom. The single stands out not only for its significance but also for featuring the legendary ‘Metal Queen,’ Doro Pesch, alongside Udo Dirkschneider. This collaboration highlights the album’s unique approach, underlining the long-running inspiration for the whole scene and renowned metal figureheads and companions alike.

Udo comments: “It was a very special experience for me to re-record ‘Winter Dreams’ with Doro Pesch. Doro and I have spent so many years together in the scene and there is a deep, almost familial connection between us. Her voice gives this song an incredible magic and emotionality that takes it to a whole new level. It was like a reunion with an old friend for me and together we made ‘Winter Dreams’ even more intense and personal. It just feels right to share this moment together!”

““Balls To The Wall” has always been one of my absolute favourite albums. I was really happy to sing the wonderful ‘Winter Dreams’ as a duet with Udo Dirkschneider and to shoot a great video for it. We have a long friendship and it is always special to work with him,” Doro adds.

Listen to the single: https://dirkschneider.rpm.link/winterdreamsPR

Taking fans to the vaults of Castle Reifenstein (Freienfeld, Italy), located in a beautifully wintry mountain landscape, the ‘Winter Dreams’ music video, starring both vocalists Udo Dirkschneider and Doro Pesch, can be watched here:

“Balls To The Wall Reloaded” can still be pre-ordered in various physical formats and digitally or pre-saved on your favourite digital service provider (DSP) worldwide: https://dirkschneider.rpm.link/bttwrPR

This ambitious reinterpretation not only revitalises the original tracks but also emphasises their timeless impact on the metal genre. More than a revival, this project serves as a celebration of the album’s enduring legacy, enriched by the enthusiasm and contributions of some of metal’s most influential voices.

“Re-recording “Balls To The Wall” was a big challenge for me. The album is a milestone of my career, of course, that’s why it was even more important to me to make the original songs shine in a new light without losing their initial essence. All guests have put their individual stamps on these classic tracks, and collaborating with such outstanding vocalists has moved them into a fresh and exciting dimension. The result is a powerful homage to all fans but also an invitation to the next generation to experience the songs not minorly passionate than I was when I recorded them back in the day. It’s a never-ending personal journey for me – “Balls To The Wall” will always be a part of me,” states Udo.

This reimagined “Balls To The Wall” is a fitting tribute to heavy metal history, proving that its power and influence remain as potent today as they were four decades ago.

Additionally drawing near is DIRKSCHNEIDER’s release accompanying European “Balls To The Wall” 40th anniversary tour: 4 out of 32 shows are already sold-out, and another bunch of venues is running out of tickets fastly, so everyone aiming to attend this historic series of shows should secure their tickets now before they’re gone. Support at most of the dates (except Croatian, Greek, Turkish & Bulgarian stops) will come from Finnish metallers CROWNSHIFT as well as DIRKSCHNEIDER’s up-and-coming label mates ALL FOR METAL.

“Balls To The Wall” – 40th Anniversary Tour
w/ CROWNSHIFT, ALL FOR METAL
Presented by Contra Promotion & Metal Hammer

25.02.2025 HR Zagreb – Boogaloo *
26.02.2025 AT Vienna – SiMM City
27.02.2025 DE Munich – Backstage LOW TICKETS
28.02.2025 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee LOW TICKETS
01.03.2025 CZ Prague – SaSaZu
02.03.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra
04.03.2025 RO Bucharest – Quantic Club
06.03.2025 PL Kraków – Klub Studio
07.03.2025 PL Warsaw – Progresja
08.03.2025 LT Vilnius – Kablys
09.03.2025 EE Tallinn – Helitehas
10.03.2025 FI Helsinki – Kulttuuritalo
11.03.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema
13.03.2025 NO Oslo – Rockefeller
14.03.2025 SE Gothenburg – Trädgår’n
16.03.2025 DE Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt
17.03.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp
18.03.2025 BE Antwerp – Trix
19.03.2025 FR Paris – Le Trabendo
21.03.2025 ES Pamplona – Sala Totem SOLD OUT
22.03.2025 ES Madrid – Mon LOW TICKETS
23.03.2025 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2 LOW TICKETS
25.03.2025 CH Pratteln – Konzertfabrik Z7
26.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn SOLD OUT
27.03.2025 DE Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
28.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36 SOLD OUT
29.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – MusicHall SOLD OUT
30.03.2025 DE Geiselwind – MusicHall
08.04.2025 GR Athens – Fuzz Live Music Club *
09.04.2025 GR Thessaloniki – Principal Club Theater *
11.04.2025 TR Istanbul – IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş *
12.04.2025 BG Sofia – Hristo Botev Hall *DIRKSCHNEIDER only
30.07. – 02.08.2025 DE Wacken – Wacken Open Air *SOLD OUT*

  1. – 17.08.2025 CH Cudrefin (VD) – Rock The Lakes

“Hell, Fire And Steel” Tour
w/ SAXON

04.11.2025 UK Belfast – Ulster Hall
05.11.2025 IE Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre
07.11.2025 UK Manchester – O2 Apollo
08.11.2025 UK Sheffield – The Octagon Centre
09.11.2025 UK Glasgow – O2 Academy
11.11.2025 UK Newcastle – O2 City Hall
13.11.2025 UK Bristol – Beacon
14.11.2025 UK Wolverhampton – Civic Hall
15.11.2025 UK London – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
16.11.2025 UK Cardiff – The Great Hall

Info & Tickets: https://udo-online.de/tourdates.html

DIRKSCHNEIDER are:
Udo Dirkschneider | vocals
Andrey Smirnov | guitar
Fabian “Dee” Dammers | guitar
Peter Baltes | bass
Sven Dirkschneider | drums

More on DIRKSCHNEIDER: udo-online.com | Facebook: U.D.O. / Dirkschneider / Udo Dirkschneider | Instagram | X | YouTube | RPM

LO-PAN Reveal Video Single ‘Ozymandias’ from Forthcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LO-PAN. Leave a comment
Photo by Skot Thompson

LO-PAN unveil the performance video ‘Ozymandias‘ as the next advance single taken from the American hard rockers’ forthcoming album “Get Well Soon“. The new full-length from the long-running foursome from Columbus, Ohiowill hit the streets on April 4, 2025 via Magnetic Eye Records. Pre-order your copy at: http://lnk.spkr.media/lo-pan-get-well

The title ‘Ozymandias’ refers to the Greek version of the name of the Egyptian warrior-pharaoh Ramesses II, which inspired a sonnet by English Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley as well as the mass-murdering antagonist of the acclaimed graphic novel “Watchmen” (1986) by writer Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons.

On further news, LO-PAN have just announced five album release shows in Ohio and Kentucky. All confirmed dates are listed below. 

Video credits

Directed by Lo-Pan & Joe Fortunato
Cinematography by Joe Fortunato & Nikki Fortunato
Editing & visual effects by Joe Fortunato
Acting models: The Moms 

“We wrote ‘Ozymandias’ as the last song for the album and when I came up with these riffs, I immediately knew that they belonged on this record, and the rest of the guys ultimately agreed“, guitarist Chris Thompson states, while drummer Jesse Bartz explains the most striking visual aspect of the video: “Our female parental units are the true rockstars in all of our lives. This video was an amazing experience and a great opportunity to bring them all together and to celebrate our music.“ Jeff Martin gets the final word: “Basically, this song is about acknowledging the impermanence of power and also the existence of objective truth“, the vocalist adds. “Just take a look around at global events, if you need examples.“

Tracklist

  1. The Good Fight
  2. Northern Eyes
  3. Wormwood
  4. Ozymandias
  5. Rogue Wave
  6. Harpers Ferry
  7. Stay with the Boat
  8. God’s Favorite Victim
  9. Six Bells

Recording by Joe Viers at Sonic Lounge, Grove City, Columbus OH (US)
Mix by Andrew Schneider at ACRE Audio, New York City, NY (US)
Mastering by Carl Saff at Saff Mastering, Chicago, IL (US)
Cover photography by Heidi Shapiro
Layout & Art Direction by Chris Smith (Grey Aria Design)

Up for a catchy tune? LO-PAN deliver them in droves! The four-piece from Columbus, Ohio in the United States have long been known for their powerful blend of driving rhythms, melodic vocals, and immersive sonic landscapes, and with “Get Well Soon”, they add captivating songwriting to the list.

Since 2005, LO-PAN have laboured hard to earn a reputation as one of the most consistent and compelling acts in the modern heavy scene with their blue-collar ethic and singular artistic vision, which is strongly felt on “Get Well Soon”.

On this album, LO-PAN further define their brand of American Hard Rock, a wicked stylistic mix of deep fried heaviness sprinkled with metal and grunge, all fused through captivating songwriting into an irresistible fifth album.

LO-PAN came together in the vibrant underground Columbus scene out of a shared love of vintage rock, stoner metal, and modern heaviness. The four musicians were united by a passion for pushing boundaries. It was no accident that they took their name from the sorcerous villain in the cult film “Big Trouble in Little China” as the band set out to blend cinematic drama with larger-than-life energy.

From their earliest days, LO-PAN distinguished themselves with an intense live presence and a sound that combined classic rock grit with the crushing weight of stoner and doom influences. LO-PAN‘s 2009 debut album “Sasquanaut” was an immediate breakout, earning praise for its infectious hooks and monumental grooves, and established the band as a force to be reckoned with in the heavy underground.

The sophomore full-length “Salvador” (2011) solidified their reputation, showcasing a more refined sound and greater musical maturity. 2014’s “Colossus” represented a significant leap forward, pushing into new territories with tighter arrangements and more expansive production by Andrew Schneider (PELICAN, UNSANE et al.).

In 2019, LO-PAN released “Subtle”, which marked another evolution of their sound. The band dared to take risks by exploring new emotional depths through a more introspective and atmospheric approach, which paid off with critics and fans alike.

LO-PAN have toured and shared stages with such heavyweights as HIGH ON FIRE, TORCHE, and RED FANG, among many others, and have taken their high-energy performances to audiences across the United States and Europe.

“Get Well Soon” heralds another great leap forward for LO-PAN. Heavy, cool, catchy, and with a marked emotional resonance developed through experience and maturity, “Get Well Soon” will take the Americans to new places around the globe.

LO-PAN Album Release US Tour
04/04/2025 Columbus, OH (US) Ace of Cups
05/04/2025 Dayton, OH (US) Blind Bobs
18/04/2025 Newport, KY (US) Southgate House
19/04/2025 Lexington, KY (US) Al’s Bar
25/04/2025 Cleveland, OH (US) Grog Shop

Line-up
Jeff Martin – vocals
Chris Thompson – guitar
Scott Thompson – bass
Jesse Bartz – drums

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