Winter is coming – if you look out of the window in Berlin, the signs are pretty clear! Reason enough for the Berlin symphonic metal band DYING PHOENIX to introduce us to the band in the form of a new video after major line-up changes. “Who Owns The North” from the current album ‘Winter Is Coming’ has been re-recorded and enhanced with the strengths of the new members around Pat St. James.
Lilith and Marie-Luisa Ehrlich complete the successful vocal trio with Pat St. James, which continues to be a kind of “unique selling point” for the band. Also new is the guitarist duo Florian Kunde and Marco Pragliola as well as Karen Alaverdyan (bass) and Michael Wieczorek (drums) for the rhythm section.
Dying Phoenix – That’s Symphonic Metal from Berlin. With the special mixture of three different vocal characters Dying Phoenix form an exceptional constellation in Symphonic Metal. The album was produced by Oliver Palotai (KAMELOT), who also composed the songs. The lyrics were written by St. James and Palotai.
Line-Up: Pat St. James – Vocals Lilith – Vocals Marie-Luisa Ehrlich – Vocals, Keyboard, Piano Florian Kunde – Guitars, Background-Vocals Marco Pragliola – Guitars, Background-Vocals Karen Alaverdyan – Bass, Background-Vocals Michael Wieczorek – Drums
There’s a new star in the hard rock galaxy! RAY OF LIGHT is a fresh line-up that should make some long-standing heavy rockers and AOR fans prick up their ears, as the promising name includes members of a gang that has already released several official records under the Frontline banner – eight to be precise – and has been on the verge of an international breakthrough several times.
RAY OF LIGHT show the world what’s possible under the new name with their video single City of Angels! This genuine rock gourmet treat follows the straight stomper Falling to Pieces and the radio gem Stand Up, which were released earlier this year. At the same time, the band announced their debut album – in their new form – Salute, which is due to be released on February 14, 2025.
All ten tracks on the album share one thing for sure: They radiate a refreshing positivity that breaks through in a drive as exuberant as it is powerful – Salute extends way past the friendly greeting that gives the album its name. It is a glimmer of hope, a soundtrack to a new beginning, which was fueled not least by the arrival of the incredibly talented British rock voice Gregg Cromack as lead singer.
And yet there is so much more to the creation of this piece: a new foundation full of verve on the one hand, but also a heavy blow of fate and loss for the band on the other, when co-founder, guitarist, songwriter and long-time friend Robby Boebel fell seriously ill in the middle of the album preparations in 2022 and died far too soon afterwards.
It would take until the fall of 2023 for RAY OF LIGHT to begin working with exceptional guitarist and producer Jörg “Warthy” Wartmann and complete the work in memory of the late friend. The collaboration between drummer/founder Stephan Bayerlein, bassist Thomas Hutch, singer Gregg and the highly versatile guitarist proved to be so beneficial and at the same time so creatively fruitful that the newly added “Warthy” also took over the mixing of the album, joining the band right away as a permanent member.
Tracklist for Salute: Falling to Pieces Ray of Light Alive City of Angels Stand Up Best of Me Fallin from Grace Frontline Last Day How Long
The new single City of Angels is also digitally available, here.
The upcoming album Salute can be pre-ordered at this location. The first 500 copies sold will be signed by the band.
Frontline and now also RAY OF LIGHT founder Stephan Bayerlein looks back on the moving times the band has gone through since the end of the pandemic: “It’s been a rollercoaster! First, the start of a new musical adventure, the kick that Gregg gave us with the unrestrained energy of his 10,000-volt voice, then the heartbreaking, far too abrupt farewell to Robby and the question of what comes next. How do you carry on when you’ve lost someone who is simply irreplaceable? In the end, it was both the memory of Robby that gave us the strength to carry on, and the idea that these great songs would otherwise remain in the drawer forever. Robby is around us all the time actually, in so many thoughts and in the ever-recurring question: What would Robby do now?”
A question that became Stephan Bayerlein’s leitmotif on his road to the perfect hard rock record, as he took on the role of producer during the creative phase with a growing amount of respect: “It was a heartfelt matter to me personally – but increasingly so for each individual in the band, too – to grow with the overwhelming task at hand and ensure that the songs on the album could shine in the perfect light.”
As such, Salute is both a salutation to a shared past and a welcome to a future with great new members in the band. A Ray of Light that invites you to linger and follow.
RAY OF LIGHT are: Gregg Cromack – Vocals Stephan Bayerlein – Drums Joerg Wartmann – Guitar Thomas Bauer – Bass
Emerging as one of symphonic metal’s most innovative acts, BELLE MORTE returns with their highly anticipated album, Pearl Hunting, set for release on January 24, 2025, through Wormholedeath Records. Known for their dark, gothic edge and symphonic depth, Belle Morte ventures into bold new territory with Pearl Hunting, merging symphonic metal with a global array of traditional instruments that beckon listeners on a unique sonic journey.
Pearl Hunting – A Global Collaboration of Sound and Spirit
Just as pearl divers plunge deep into mysterious waters in search of rare treasures, Belle Morte has delved into diverse musical traditions to craft Pearl Hunting. This ambitious album features 11 meticulously crafted tracks, each produced in collaboration with a lineup of guest musicians from across the globe. Recorded across continents, the album combines symphonic metal’s majesty with traditional sounds from countries as far-reaching as Mongolia, Japan, and Peru, blending Eastern, Celtic, and Latin influences into a transcendent fusion.
A Rich Musical Tapestry Woven with Rare Ethnic Instruments
Pearl Hunting stands out for its bold use of ethnic instrumentation, drawing from Belarusian, Celtic, Mongolian, Japanese, and Andean music. The band incorporates an impressive range of instruments, including the Belarusian duda, Ukrainian sopilka, Celtic bouzouki, and Armenian duduk, alongside the Peruvian pan pipes, Indonesian suling and gamelan, and Japanese shamisen, koto, and shakuhachi. Each track offers its auditory landscape, pairing symphonic metal’s intensity with the haunting allure of the Trinity College harp or the guttural, earthy tones of the morin khuur.
Stories as Profound as the Music
Beyond the instrumental richness, Pearl Hunting is also lyrically profound. The album explores themes of love, lust, inner conflict, and resilience. Belle Morte seamlessly intertwines these personal journeys with vivid storytelling, conjuring tales of supernatural beings, vampires, and ancient folklore. Listeners are invited to journey alongside the band into an otherworldly realm where music transcends conventional metal fusions.
For a glimpse into the mystique of Pearl Hunting, dive into the title track’s lyric video:
With the soul-stirring beauty of global folk traditions intertwined with an atmospheric sound, this track gracefully beckons listeners to step into Belle Morte’s journey.
Tracklist: 01 Pearl Hunting Feat. Hunt Max Kerner, Caterina Castiglioni, Yanina Yakshevich, Ada Rusinkiewicz 02 Falling Idol Feat. Tero Kalliomäki 03 Exorcism feat. Ulziisaikhan Khoroldamba 04 Blame Me Feat. Lernik Khachatrian 05 Wintersleep Feat. Ella Zlotos, Marta Masciola 06 Losing Faith Feat. Carlos Carty 07 Black Waters Feat. Maulana Malik Ibrahim 08 Willow Feat. Emma Spinelli, Rúben Monteiro 09 September Feat. Rúben Monteiro, Ada Rusinkiewicz 10 Jorōgumo Feat. Hisashi, Reigen Fujii, Souzan Kato 11 Krew Feat. Yaroslav Dzhus, Alex Pilkevych, Ada Rusinkiewicz 12 Exorcism (Acoustic Version)
About Belle Morte
Founded in Minsk, Belle Morte burst onto the scene with their debut EP Game On in 2018, establishing themselves with a haunting blend of dark, melancholic symphonic metal. Their first full-length album, Crime of Passion (2021), signed under Wormholedeath Records, solidified their reputation with a conceptual journey inspired by John Fowles’ The Collector. Crime of Passion narrated a twisted, layered tale of obsession and tragedy, while the band’s latest work, Pearl Hunting, showcases their evolution into global musical storytelling.
With their second album, Belle Morte takes symphonic metal to a new frontier, blending haunting melodies, progressive and gothic elements, and an unmistakable melancholic vibe. Each track on Pearl Hunting is a unique experience, promising fans a breathtaking ride through uncharted musical waters.
British singer/songwriter Toby Jepson has premiered a new animated video for the lead track from his ‘Look Out!’ mini-album trilogy. Titled ‘Alone With You’, it’s the first of 20 brand new songs by the Wayward Sons and former Little Angels frontman that are being released under his solo moniker, Toby and the Whole Truth.
‘Alone With You’ is an energetic, full-throttle rock anthem that delves into the challenges of men’s mental health,drawing from Toby’s personal experiences. This theme is vividly brought to life in the new psychedelic animated video, which offers a captivating journey through the intricate corridors of his mind. The visuals poignantly depict the vulnerability and fragility one can feel amidst the chaotic and often overwhelming nature of the modern digital world.
“My intention with the videos associated with my new Look Out! song collection was to create something unique that avoided the clichés of standard rock images.
A few years ago, I met a young animator called Euan Friel shortly after he graduated from university, where he had taken a course in animation and VFX. I was struck by his style, which captures a simplicity shot through with emotion in the very lines he drew. He worked on the videos for the Wayward Sons’ last album and was brilliantly inventive—a dream to work with.
From the very start, I didn’t want to appear in these videos as such, but I recognised the need for the viewer to understand that the songs are very personal to me and hence should involve my image somehow. I discussed this concept with Euan and suggested he animate me as a line drawing from home-shot video I took of myself performing the song.
Animation is a fine art; it has the ability to touch a subject with a lightness of touch that somehow gets below the surface. Because it comes across as a two-dimensional art form, it lures the viewer in with its seemingly harmless intentions. I mean, where is the threat or fear in a drawing or model? That is its power: it can represent anything and mean everything in a way that live action cannot.
I wanted to explore the very real difficulties mental health problems can cause, using imagery that suggested how confusing it is to suffer emotional trauma—how the brain can conjure and trigger.
The video is a trip through my cerebral cortex—a kaleidoscopic journey of colour and texture, contortion and manifestation. Our imaginations are complex and driven by experience and can easily boil over if rational thought falls victim to malevolent external forces. Every aspect of the video deals with an element of how trauma can lodge itself in our everyday lives until it feels ‘normal’ or at least recognisable—from how thinly drawn you can feel to how visceral and confusing the world around us can appear.” – Toby Jepson
‘Alone With You’ is taken from the new mini-album ‘Toby and the Whole – Look Out! vol.1’ which is available now direct from Toby Jepson’s official website.
Look Out! vol.1 tracklist:
1. Introduction 2. Alone With You 3. Sweet Smell Of Success 4. What Will It Take? 5. Throw It Away 6. One Track Mind 7. The One Turns Out The Light
Credits: Written and produced by Toby Jepson. Arranged by Toby Jepson, Dave Kemp and the band. Engineered by Chris D’adda and Toby Jepson. Mixed by Chris D’adda. Mastered by Simon Francis. Recorded and mixed at Vale Studios, Worcestershire, U.K. Additional recording Strangeplace studios, Somerset U.K. and Bath Spa University, Bath, U.K.
Toby Jepson – guitars, all vocals, Pro Tools programming and percussion Dave Kemp – keys Matthew Eldridge – drums Chris Blanden – bass Jason Barwick – lead electric guitars Sam Wood – additional guitars
Video produced by Euan Friel Animation Album artwork by Stuart Dilley Photography by Scott Diamond
Sadist‘s new EP “Jugular Bells” will be released on December 20th via Nadir Music. It’s a limited edition box set, which is going to make all the fans of the band very happy.
Inside the Box, a five tracks Jewel Box CD, Band sticker, wool hat, band patch!
While waiting for the release of the Sadist Christmas Box Set, You can find the official video Clip of the Title Track available here:
“Jugular Bells” Tracklist:
Jugular Bells Let it Burn Christmas Beat Tubular Bells You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Five years since their latest studio offering, Strike Hard, London/UK-based NWOBHM pioneers AIRFORCE, featuring Doug Sampson (ex-Iron Maiden), will return with their much-awaited new album, entitled Acts of Madness. Set for a release on February 21, 2025 via ROAR, the album pre-sale is now available at this location: https://airforce.rpm.link/acts
A music video for the band’s first blistering single, “Among The Shadows”, is now premiering below!
Acts of Madness showcases the band’s ability to evolve their sound while staying true to the signature style that has defined them for decades. Created during challenging times, the album represents a bold step forward for the band, blending their hard rock and heavy metal influences into a powerful collection of tracks. With 11 songs and nearly an hour of material, the album delivers the epic, arena-worthy sound that fans have come to expect from AIRFORCE. Despite the adversity they faced, including the global pandemic and the tragic loss of their producer and close friend Pete Franklin, the band forged ahead with unwavering determination. The project took a poignant turn after Franklin’s passing, as the band lost many of the original recordings. Fortunately, longtime collaborator Jezz Coad stepped in to help bring the album to completion. Coad, who originally worked with AIRFORCE in the 1980s, was instrumental in shaping the final product. This album stands as a tribute to Franklin, whose influence is felt throughout the tracks.
Recorded initially at his studio in 2020, the production was delayed due to the pandemic, resulting in the loss of much of the material. However, the band’s resilience ensured the album was finished,
with demos salvaged from previous sessions. The result is an album that feels deeply personal to the band, encapsulating both their struggles and triumphs. Fans of AIRFORCE can expect a powerful, emotionally charged listening experience, with the grandeur of heavy metal that’s perfect for large arenas! A recent performance at the Movistar Arena in Bogotá, Colombia, reaffirmed the band’s place in the metal scene, as fans responded enthusiastically to both classic hits and new material from the album. Dedicated to Pete Franklin, this album captures the heart and soul of AIRFORCE ’s journey, ensuring his legacy will live on through their music.
Acts of Madness is a comeback worthy of the standard-bearer of the entire genre and an album that will strongly resonate within the metal community worldwide! In support of Acts of Madness, AIRFORCE have announced their live appearance at Harder than Rock Festival 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia, on March 8, 2025, after which many club and festival appearances will follow. Stay tuned for many more news and details to be revealed soon, and pre-order your copy of this must-have album, one that belongs into every well-sorted heavy metal record collection, at this location: https://airforce.rpm.link/acts
Acts of Madness track listing:
Among The Shadows
Life Turns To Dust
The Fury
Cursed Moon
Sniper
Lost Forever
Westworld
Heroes
Obliterated
Hacksaw Ridge
Strange World (Iron Maiden cover)
AIRFORCE is: Lino – Vocals Chop Pitman – Guitars Tony Hatton – Bass Doug Sampson – Drums
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 ) 