Pete Lehtinen (born in 1975, lives in Lahti) is a Finnish composer and lyricist. He is known as a frontman of the Finnish dark metal group Mustan Kuun Lapset. Besides to writing most of the material, Lehtinen was a lead singer, rhythm guitarist and studio session keyboardist throughout the band’s 30-year existence.
As Mustan Kuun Lapset defunct in 2023, Lehtinen “retired” from his active music career which started in early ´90s. In the spring of 2024, however, he released new music as a solo artist. Digital single Snowflower was based on the tunes of Lumikukka (from Mustan Kuun Lapset´s fourth album Viimeinen laulu kuolemasta, Stay Heavy Records, 2007), which is one of the most popular songs Pete has written. And like Snowflower, Procession is based on an old Mustan Kuun Lapset song too. Original Saatto (Engl. Procession) from the album of the same name was released in 2017 (Inverse Records).
This time, the single also features a guest vocalist. Micko Hell is a singer who was born in 1978, lives in Kerava, and has influenced many Finnish metal bands. Pete and Micko met when they did their civil service in Vaasa 1997. Five years later, in 2002 when Mustan Kuun Lapset released their debut album Suruntuoja (Northern Sound Records), Micko became known to the general public as the vocalist of Denigrate. They released the Taiska cover song Mombasa, which was the theme song for the movie “Menolippu Mombasaan” (Cinemaker Oy). The song like the movie became a big hit. In addition to this, this angelic-voiced man is known for Micko Hell & the Motherfuckers, Million Dollar Beggars, Gloomy Grim (guitars) and many, many more. He has also guested on the records of several bands such as Wintersun and Re-Armed to name a few.
Procession is the first song representing -maybe you could say- dark electronic dance music for Lehtinen & Hell. In fact, all those involved in the production process are experienced mainly in metal music, so this was a big leap into the unknown for everyone.
Procession was recorded by Sami Heinonen (Inferia, Necropsy & Sacrilegious Impalement), and mixed and mastered by studio engineer Pasi Löfgren (Where’s My Bible, Mustan Kuun Lapset). Löfgren also co-produced the single together with Lehtinen. Let’s also mention the nearly ten-year collaboration with Jaakko Tarvainen and Inverse Records. Inverse released all Mustan Kuun Lapset albums and EPs from 2016 to 2023 as well as Pete´s Snowflower single, and now the collaboration continues.
The digital single also includes a short version of the song called Procession (Radio Edit).
Procession credits: Grammar check of the translation by Natalie Humphries Arrangements by Pete Lehtinen & Micko Hell Vocals by Micko Hell Synths by Pete Lehtinen
Recorded by Sami Heinonen Edited by Sami Heinonen and Pasi Löfgren Mixed and mastered by Pasi Löfgren at Inka Studio Album cover art and promo photos by Pete Lehtinen Produced by Pete Lehtinen and Pasi Löfgren 2024
UK avantgarde metal pioneers VOID have revealed the official video from their single “Fables From a Post-Truth Era“. The song is taken from the band’s latest album, “Jadjow“, released by Brucia Records in December 2023.
The concept for the video, entirely created by Matt Jarman, stemmed from a dream, a photo of an actual derelict playground in Bulgaria and the painting time-lapses in the film “Prophecy” about the painting by Peter Howson.
“In an attempt to access greater freedom we can wall ourselves in. Through paranoia and misinformation, the beliefs that seek to empower us can actually tear us apart”.
“Jadjow” was born out of the DHG Void Dancers tour in 2019, when VOID founding member and guitarist Matt Jarman and Camille Giraudeau (Dreams of the Drowned, Doedsmaghird) both played live guitar for Dødheimsgard.
Also present were DHG’s bass player Lars Emil Måløy (If Nothing Is) and their live sound engineer George Geegor Anagnostopoulos. These four musicians decided to collaborate on a project, co-writing what became the fourth VOID album. The drums on the album were eventually performed by Tariq Zulficar (Atramentum), a long time collaborator of Camille‘s, based on Geegor‘s original arrangements.
In typical VOID fashion, the music on “Jadjow” demonstrates a distinct departure from the previous releases, whilst paradoxically remaining quintessentially VOID. Skillfully mixing the aggressiveness of black metal with progressive music, a post-metal sensibility, noise-like leads and syncopated, hyper-technical drumming, VOID managed to create something entirely unique and atypical, showcasing a voracious appetite for creating rich and complex soundscapes with incredible sense of purpose and direction. The vocals here are also extremely varied, melodic, at times choir-like, and play a massive role in redefining VOID‘s eccentricity, creating a multi-layered masterpiece of experimental music that manages to push the boundaries of both aggression and sophistication at the same time.
The dream-like artwork was exclusively created by previous VOID vocalist Laura Katrin Weston.
FFO: Dødheimsgard, Enslaved, Ved Buens Ende.
Tracklist:
01. Fables From a Post-Truth Era (09:52) 02. Interdaementional (07:28) 03. Only For You (08:15) 04. Oduduwa’s Chain (05:50) 05. When Lucifer Dies (06:12) 06. Self Isolation (05:19) 07. Swamp Dog (05:43) 08. Interlude (01:28) 09. Iniquitous Owl (06:26)
Line-up: Matt Jarman – Guitar (left) and Vocals Lars Emil Måløy – Bass Camille Giraudeau – Guitar (Right) Tariq Zulficar – Drums
Symphonic metal powerhouse TEMPERANCE is making a grand return as headliners, bringing their electrifying “From Hermitage to Europe” tour this March 2025, presented by RTN Touring.
Following an unforgettable stint showcasing the phenomenal vocals of American soprano Kristin Starkey during their 2023 tour as special guest for Tarja, and riding the wave of their critically acclaimed rock-opera album Hermitage – Daruma’s Eyes Part II(Napalm Records), TEMPERANCE is gearing up to take the stage once again. Fresh off their support run for Serenity’s Nemesis A.D. Tour in February 2024, the maestros of melodic and symphonic metal are ready to unleash their signature pyrotechnic vocal trio in a 360-degree metal extravaganza. Expect hits from Hermitage alongside fan-favorite classics with their millions of streams!
To complete the delight, two extraordinary special guests: from Ukraine IGNEA –who will celebrate the 5th anniversary of their The Realms of Fire and Death, and that released their latest Dreams of Lands Unseenvia Napalm Records in 2023; from Germany INDUCTION – led by power-metal’s art-son Tim Hansen, who freshly announced their new line-up and new singer Gabriele Gozzi and who are impatient to get back on the road.
Mastermind Marco Pastorino states: “It’s been years since TEMPERANCE properly headlined a Central European tour, and the wait is finally over. Our journey—from rocking stages across the globe to joining iconic festivals like 70,000 Tons of Metal and Prog Power USA—has been incredible. Now, with a powerful lineup and songs that demand their moment in the spotlight, we’re ready to show the world what TEMPERANCE is truly made of!”
Tourdates: 06.03 PL Warsaw / VooDoo 07.03 PL Poznan / Pod Minoga 08.03 PL Skarżysko-Kamienna / Semafor 09.03 HU Budapest / Barba Negra 10.03 DE Munich / Backstage 11.03 AT Vienna / Szene 12.03 IT Bologna / Alchemica 13.03 CH Lenzburg / Met Bar 14.03 DE Aschaffenburg / Colos Saal 15.03 DE Leipzig / Hellreiser 16.03 DE Berlin / Orwo 17.03 DE Hamburg / Logo 18.03 NL Tilburg / 013 19.03 DE Hannover / Musikcentrum 20.03 DE Bochum / Matrix 21.03 BE Kotrijk / DVG 22.03 NL Drachten / Iduna
Don’t miss this melodic-metal explosion—grab your tickets today at www.temperanceband.com and witness TEMPERANCE in full force this March!
Once again, The Old Dead Tree are springing back to life. The French goths are back with more soul-stirring progressive metal on their first full album since 2007. Second Thoughts is an unflinching descent into love, loss and the burning desire to overcome the shadows that hunt us all.
Second Thoughts is released today, Friday, December 6, and you can hear all thirteen bright and brooding songs today by listen to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
Grinding against the struggles of the past, The Old Dead Tree’s journey to this point has been far from smooth. Separation and silence almost dimmed their light, but the band’s unbreakable spirit has ignited a comeback. With Second Thoughts, they plunge deep into life’s paradoxes—a raw, unfiltered exploration of anguish and fleeting joy.
Lead single “Unpredictable” dives into the chaotic maelstrom of life’s twists and turns. “Solastalgia” channels collective anxiety over the fate of the planet into a gorgeous and gloomy chorus. “I don’t know, my god I don’t know what to do now “. With a nod back to their doom and death metal roots, “The Lightest Straw” envelops you in a brutal yet beautifully orchestrated soundscape, layering 40 vocal tracks into an intense, haunting blend.
More praise for The Old Dead Tree
“This doesn’t sound like an album from a band who hasn’t put out a record collectively in about 15 years. This is an album from band that is firing on all cylinders and knew exactly what they wanted to release” – Black Angel Promotions
“…have all the appeal of Between the Buried and Me, Haken and Nailed to Obscurity, but there is still that darker edge to TODT which would pique the interest of fans of Alcest and Katatonia” – Metal Heads Forever
Cover Art: Henri Lejeune
Tracklist: 1. Unpredictable (3:33) [WATCH] 2. Don’t Waste Your Time (3:41) 3. The Lightest Straw (4:32) [WATCH] 4. Better Off Dead (1:54) 5. Without A Second Thought (3:39) 6. Luke (4:41) 7. Story Of My Life (3:42) 8. Fresh Start (4:33) 9. I Wish I Could (3:58) 10. The Trap (3:15) 11. Solastalgia (3:51) [WATCH] 12. OK (3:53) 13. The Worst Is Yet To Come (5:50) 14. Terrified (Box Set Bonus Track) (3:54) Total runtime: 51:04
Throughout the 2000s, THE OLD DEAD TREE made a name for themselves on the European metal scene, performing almost 200 concerts and releasing three albums, creating a unique universe combining extreme music and dark rock-pop, sublimated by Manuel Munoz’s exceptional and versatile vocals.
Just as the band had released their first EP, The Blossom, in 1999, drummer Frédéric Guillemot took his own life. The shock profoundly scarred the other three members of the band, and formed the basis of the concept for their debut album, The Nameless Disease.
Following its release in 2003 on the Season Of Mist label, the immediate success of this seminal album led the band to hit the road with PARADISE LOST, OPETH and KATATONIA, introducing their music to metalheads across Europe.
Two critically acclaimed albums followed, The Perpetual Motion (2005) and The Water Fields (2007), making THE OLD DEAD TREE a pillar of the French metal scene and a reference point for progressive metal in Europe.
By the end of 2008, just as work had begun on a fourth album, the wear and tear of the necessary personal investment proved too much for some of the band to bear. THE OLD DEAD TREE officially split up in 2009.
Over the following years, the musicians moved apart geographically and became involved in other musical projects (PENUMBRA, ARKAN, OMMATIDIA, LUX INCERTA…), but their indefectible friendship never wavered.
In 2013, THE OLD DEAD TREE briefly reunited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album The Nameless Disease with a mini European tour that included stops at HELLFEST and MOTOCULTOR.
In late December 2019, THE OLD DEAD TREE will announce the unexpected release of an EP of previously unreleased material, The End, featuring tracks begun in 2008. An extensive headlining tour and dates with LACUNA COIL are scheduled. Nevertheless, the pandemic thwarted these plans, and they were canceled one by one, with the exception of the band’s Paris date, which had sold out months in advance and was postponed until the end of 2022.
For a while, the members of THE OLD DEAD TREE were considering scrapping their return to the stage altogether, but finally settled on the last concert still to be announced, so as not to disillusion the hundreds of people who had already bought tickets. After months of waiting, and with the world in a state of questioning after the pandemic, the band finally decided to write a new song. In the spring of 2023, the popularity of the new single Terrified and the band’s high-profile appearance at HELLFEST paved the way for THE OLD DEAD TREE‘s long-lasting comeback.
On December 6th, 2024, the release of Second Thoughts, the band’s 4th album, opened a new chapter in the tormented history of one of France’s leading progressive metal bands.
Line-up: Manuel Munoz – Vocals Nicolas Chevrollier – Guitars & Backing Vocals Nicolas Cornolo – Guitars & Countings Gilles Moinet – Bass Guitar Raphaël Antheaume – Drums
Recording Studio: Drums Recorded at Vamacara Studio, France Bass Guitar, Guitars & Vocals at home T.C. Vocals at 8Gods Studio, France Ludovic Loez vocals at S.H. Studio, France
Production Credits: Drums produced & engineered by HK Manuel Munoz & Nicolas Chevrollier vocals produced & engineered by The Old Dead Tree Bass & guitars produced & engineered by The Old Dead Tree T.C Vocals produced & engineered by Philippe Tulleau Ludovic Loez vocals produced & engineered by Fabrice Loez Mixed & mastered by HK at Vamacara Studio, France
Guest Musicians: T.C. (Regarde Les Hommes Tomber) – Vocals Ludovic Loez (S.U.P.) – Vocals Raphaël Verguin (Psygnosis) – Cello
Prepare to plunge into a realm where sound is rough and penetrating, colliding with visual delirium, as 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐛𝐲𝐬𝐬 unveils the lyric video for “Deep Gaze into the Flames of Hell”.
This track, taken from the upcoming album Concento Pavor Nocturnus, unrelentingly fuses dark, complex textures with genre-defying composition.
A Multidimensional Visionary: Ömer Doğramacı
Ömer Doğramacı, the creative force behind 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐛𝐲𝐬𝐬, forges a sound that bridges cultures and musical landscapes. Born in the Bronx, with deep roots in Turkish traditions, Ömer blends elements of jazz, rock, electronic, and Middle Eastern influences into a sonic fabric that pushes boundaries. His art is an auditory experience and a visual exploration of spirituality and the material world, inviting listeners into a delirium of sound and vision.
About the Album
“Concento Pavor Nocturnus,” due for release via Wormholedeath, promises a journey that plunges into chaos and clarity, darkness, and light. Each track is a testament to Ömer’s distinctive ability to seamlessly merge influences and create a captivating, mind-bending experience.
“Drummers are an odd breed. They march to their own beat. I’ve worked with many drummers; some laid back in the pocket while others drove the band like a Benzedrine crazed truck driver. Ken Mary could be whatever I wanted him to be. He’s one of the most versatile musicians I’ve ever worked with. In the studio or in the arena, Ken would be your best bet, a future drummer’s hall of fame candidate!“ – ALICE COOPER
Drummer Ken Mary has worked as a session and live player with a list of artists that’s beginning to look like a who’s who of metal and rock, including icons such as Flotsam and Jetsam, Accept, Alice Cooper, House of Lords, Bonfire, Impelliterri, Don Dokken, and Fifth Angel to name a few.
Now, Ken has revealed a new project, titled “The Neil Peart Experiment.” Anyone who knows Ken is aware of his reverence for Neil Peart’s composition skills, as well as Ken’s claim that he would love to duplicate Peart’s drumming, at least in the technical sense, on a Rush track. Well, one of Ken’s drummer friends challenged him to do just that. As an experienced session musician, could Ken remove Neil Peart’s drum track from a Rush song and replace Neil’s parts almost note for note? How close to the original recordings in sound and performance could Ken get? But here were the additional rules the friend gave him: Ken must record the songs all in one pass, with no editing or samples, or any adjustment of any kind. And remember, the original songs were not recorded to a click track, so the time drifted on occasion!
Ken’s friend was essentially asking him to remove the “foundation of the house” and replace it, since all the other tracks (vocals, bass, guitar and keys) were recorded after the drums were laid down. This was not at all an easy task, but being the versatile, talented and experienced drummer Ken Mary is, he passed this challenge with flying colors! Watch Ken Mary’s stunning performance in “The Neil Peart Experiment” and decide for yourself if this is “the ultimate Neil tribute.”
Subscribe to Ken K Mary on Youtube! Ken will be releasing a new full length Rush song from “The Neil Peart Experiment” each week for four weeks at:https://www.youtube.com/@kenkmaryofficial
Ken comments: “This experiment was more difficult than I imagined it would be. I had to learn the fills and grooves exactly as Neil played them on the original recordings, as he did change them slightly over the years. I had to rehearse the songs to where they felt natural, and know where the band surged or pulled back at times, so I could lock to the existing guitars and bass. And they didn’t use a click track! If anyone else wants to try this experiment, please do, lol. But remember the rules! I have my individual GoPro video and audio to prove this was all in one pass with no editing or enhancement. I hope Neil would have been pleased with this ‘experiment,’ and the fact that another artist would make the effort to record these songs, and get them as exact as possible using the original methods he used. Maybe the greatest gift I received in this whole process was a feeling of getting a bit closer to Neil Peart as an artist, and stealing a brief glimpse at the moment of these recordings.”
[photo: Shane Eckart]
Ken K Mary – Biography
Ken Mary began his career as a professional musician at the age of fifteen in Seattle, Washington. Over the years, Ken’s resume and discography has grown to include outstanding work on an impressive array of recording projects with a wide spectrum of artists. Recordings featuring his talents (that include drumming, producing, and writing) have a combined sales of well over 5 million copies worldwide. Ken has recorded and performed with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Alice Cooper, The Beach Boys, and Gene Simmons of Kiss. He’s been a member of Alice Cooper, House of Lords, Flotsam and Jetsam, Fifth Angel, toured with German metal legends Accept, and has appeared on recordings of multimillion selling artists including Don Dokken, Kip Winger, Jordan Rudess, Impelliteri, Bonfire and many more.
Mega-platinum Producer Michael Wagener, (Metallica, Alice Cooper, Janet Jackson), states: “Ken Mary is a brilliant session and live player. Whether it is blazing fast, precise technical playing or just a great sense of groove you need, he’s your guy. One of the best.”
Ken Mary is considered one of the top drummers in the world, with drumming influences that include a diversity of playing styles and iconic players such as Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Neil Peart, John Bonham, and Jeff Porcaro. Ken’s style can range from very technical, to laying down a solid groove, to capturing that “smooth” jazz feel. He is considered one of the early forerunners of rapid double bass drum fills that incorporate hands and feet and can be heard blazing the trail for the future of metal drumming on some of his early session work with Alice Cooper, House of Lords, and Bonfire. His unique drumming style influenced many drummers in metal today, and many of the fills and techniques he developed are still being utilized.
In Modern Drummer, a review of the first House of Lords album: “A major reason for their (House of Lords) originality, if not the major reason, is Ken Mary’s drumming. Unquestionably, he is the best hard rock drummer in America today. Nobody plays like Ken Mary. Want to learn something? See these guys live, buy this album and pay attention to Mr. Mary.”
Famed producer Andy Johns, of Led Zeppelinand The Rolling Stones fame, was also famous for firing famous drummers on his productions, but praised Ken’s playing. Bassist Chuck Wrightrecalls: “After Ken recorded a very Bonham inspired drum track for ‘Can’t Find My Way Home,’ Andy grabbed Ken, said to him repeatedly, “You and Bonham, man, you and Bonham.” Ken adds “Bonham was a true inspiration for me, so this was one of the biggest compliments of my life. That and the fact that Andy didn’t fire me!”
Alongside his drumming skills, Ken has developed into a skilled writer and music producer as well.
Ken says, “I was blessed to have worked alongside some of the most famous engineers and music producers in music history, such asMichael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica), Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin),Terry Brown (Rush), Mac (Queen), Mick Guzauwski (Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey), Robert Scoville (Rush, Tom Petty), Terry Date (Soundgarden, Def Tones), Mike Tacci (Metallica), and Desmond Child(Ricky Martin, Aerosmith).”
Ken opened his world class recording studio SonicPhish Productions in 2003. Recent productions include the new Flotsam and Jetsam album “I Am The Weapon” on AFM records, and Fifth Angel’s latest album “When Angels Kill” for Nuclear Blast.
Stay tuned and subscribe to Ken Mary’s new Youtube channel for more “experiences,” and follow him at:
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 ) 