HOLE IN THE FRAME are back with a new version of their track “Insomnia Pt. 2”, available from November 20, 2024, on all digital platforms via Volcano Records & Promotion.
This raw and visceral live version marks another chapter in the band’s storytelling, delving deep into the darkest and most intense human emotions. Blending crossover groove metal, nu metal, and influences from bands like Pantera, Korn, and Slipknot, Hole in the Frame takes listeners on a journey into their darkest nightmares. “Insomnia Pt. 2 Live 2024” narrates a battle within, between fears and anger, capturing the essence of those who experience metal on their skin, unfiltered and uncompromising.
The band from Molise, active since 2014, has always stood out for its ability to convey genuine emotions through a unique mix of dark sounds and powerful lyrics. “Insomnia Pt. 2 Live 2024” is a new testament to their style, capable of captivating both genre enthusiasts and those seeking a profound musical experience.
Today, the mighty KREATOR have released a digital album and full video stream of their monumental live performance at Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile, which was held and recorded on April 23rd, 2023.
Fans can relive the mayhem and massive circle pits that erupted throughout the night, showcasing the raw energy that only KREATOR and their Chilean Hordes can command.
With Live In Chile you can experience one of the world’s most renowned extreme metal bands rip through a breathtaking, career-spanning set full of fan favourites and songs from their most recent album, Hate Über Alles, proving that they’re still at the very top of their game.
Almost coinciding with the release, KREATOR‘s European co-headline tour with US thrash legends ANTHRAX and guests, TESTAMENT, kicks off Thursday, November 21st. Tickets are still available for some of the shows. Scroll down for all dates.
International metal forces join in a monstrous union between Kreator andUS metal monsters, Anthrax. Completing this unmissable line-up, a very special guest, the Bay Area’s metal machine, Testament!
KREATOR + ANTHRAX 2024 EUROPEAN TOUR w/ very special guests Testament 21-Nov-2024 UK – Manchester, O2 Apollo 22-Nov-2024 UK – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall 23-Nov-2024 UK – London, Eventim Apollo 25-Nov-2024 IE – Dublin, 3 Arena 27-Nov-2024 UK – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 29-Nov-2024 FR – Paris, Zenith 30-Nov-2024 DE – Düsseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle 01-Dec-2024 DE – Munich, Zenith 03-Dec-2024 LU – Esch-sur-Alzette, Rockhal 04-Dec-2024 CH – Zurich, Halle 622 06-Dec-2024 IT – Milan, Alcatraz 07-Dec-2024 DE – Stuttgart, Schleyerhalle 08-Dec-2024 DE – Berlin, Uber Eats Music Hall 10-Dec-2024 HU – Budapest, Barba Negra 11-Dec-2024 PL – Katowice, Spodek 13-Dec-2024 DE – Frankfurt, Jahrhunderthalle 14-Dec-2024 DE – Hamburg, Edel Optics Arena – sold out! 15-Dec-2024 NL – Den Bosch, Mainstage
[photo credit: Mikhail Yuyukin, Viktor Shkarov, Marat Zaborovskiy]
With 10 years of experience behind them, Siberian atmospheric black metal legion GRIMA will release their sixth album and Napalm Records debut, Nightside, on February 28, 2025. After several shows across Europe, including some with fast-rising German death metal force Kanonenfieber, GRIMA are set to honor the spirit of the Siberian Forest, Taiga, with their impending next chapter. In addition to their unforgettable sound echoing the mesmerizing cold of the Siberian evening wilderness, the band’s eerie, piercing look – towering like living trees with intimidating carved wooden masks and branched fingers – adds another haunting element to their brutal yet beautiful output.
Alongside the album announcement, GRIMA present their first output and reveal the new single “Skull Gatherers”, an atmospheric and haunting black metal track that conjures powerful imagery of inevitability, cold, and eternal slumber. “Skull Gatherers” is underlined with a bewitching official music video and serves as a perfect soundtrack for the gray season.
GRIMA on “Skull Gatherers”: “’Skull Gatherers’ tells the story of the Skull Gatherers, particularly devoted servants of GRIMA, who are dedicated to harvesting trophies from the bodies of the deceased and weaving them into an endless collection. Each lyric and chord resonate with the somber silence and chill of the earth, the final resting place for those who have found peace in the Taiga. The song transcends listeners into a realm of nocturnal shadows, rugged nature, and mysticism – the perfect soundtrack for those prepared to confront what lies beyond the boundary between life and death.”
The brand-new single, “Skull Gatherers”, is constructed with folk instruments such as the Russian accordion bayan, but GRIMA also incorporate death metal-like growls into their delivery on “Impending Death Premonition”. While fans of their dark, deep and melancholic sound can look forward to tales like in“Flight Of The Silver Storm” and “The Nightside”, GRIMA also showcase focused effort and skill on the album’s more brief, accessible offerings. “Beyond The Dark Horizon” and “Curse Of The Void” are as dreamy and complex as their big brothers, but also satisfy as more direct black metal anthems. With their mysterious visual aura and intriguing sound inspired by the unforgiving nature around them, GRIMA continue to prove themselves as an unmissable band to watch within the genre with their new album Nightside.
GRIMA about the album: “GRIMA is a secretive cult devoted to an ancient, long-forgotten Siberian forest deity, lying in wait, shrouded within the endless embrace of the Taiga. Our music is a ritual of reverence to the ancient magic of the forest, an endless dance of mysterious entities and ancient spirits, a beautiful and terrifying legend cloaked in the form of Siberian Atmospheric Black Metal. Nightside is a mysterious and melodic recording, infused with the mesmerizing cold of the Siberian night wilderness—brutal, yet equally beautiful and irresistibly alluring. A mysterious nocturnal land where winds slam the shutters of cabins in abandoned villages, guiding stars only lead you deeper into the silver storm, and a dead man is knocking his claw on an ancient pine, counting down the remaining time of yet another lost.”
Mixing, mastering, and helming Nightside’s harsh, powerful but also clear-as-an-icicle sound is black metal-experienced producer Vladimir Lehtinen. The two driving forces behind the band’s unique sound, Vilhelm and Morbius, both deliver different aspects of the band’s impactful, massive guitar riffs, leads and melodies, while Vilhelm also soars as the voice of the woods. Guest musicians Vlad (drums) and Serpentum (guitars) also join the fold both in studio and on stage.
Nightside tracklisting: 1. Intro (Cult) 2. Beyond the Dark Horizon 3. Flight of the Silver Storm 4. Skull Gatherers 5. Impending Death Premonition 6. The Nightside 7. Where We Are Lost 8. Curse of the Void 9. Mist and Fog 10. Outro (Memories of a Forgotten Home)
GRIMA Live 2025 25.04.2025 DE – Lichtenfels / Ragnarök Festival 27.04.2025 AU – Vienna / Viper Room 28.04.2025 HU – Budapest / Dürer Kert 29.04.2025 RO – Timișoara / M2 30.04.2025 RO – Cluj Napoca / Hardward Pub 01.05.2025 RO – Bucharest / Fabrica 02.05.2025 BG – Sofia / Live & Loud 03.05.2025 GR – Thessaloniki / 8ball 04.05.2025 GR – Athens / Arch Club – Live Stage 05.05.2025 GR – Larisa / Skyland 09.05.2025 SE – Belgrade / TBA 10.05.2025 SL – Ljubljana / Menza pri Koritu 11.05.2025 PL – Brno / Melodka 13.05.2025 PL – Krakow / Gwarek 14.05.2025 PL – Wrocław / Liverpool 15.05.2025 CZ – Praha / Vagon 16.05.2025 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 17.05.2025 DE – Weiher / Music Hall 18.05.2025 DE – Kassel / Goldgrube 21.05.2025 DE – Magdeburg / Factory 22.05.2025 DE – Frankfurt a. M. / Nachtleben 23.05.2025 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat 25.05.2025 UK – London / Underworld Camden 27.05.2025 UK – Glasgow / Ivory Blacks 28.05.2025 UK – Manchester / Rebellion 30.05.2025 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle 31.05.2025 DE – Hamburg / Kulturpalast
GRIMA is: Vilhelm – vocals, guitars Morbius – guitars
As the mists of time part like whispers through the Scottish Highlands, Saor weaves a new historic tapestry. Inspired by a hilly walk through an older world, Andy Marshall and his band of Caledonian warriors craft a majestic symphony that welds the intensity of black metal with Celtic folk melodies on their upcoming new album Amidst the Ruins.
Watch the stunning and scenic music video for the title track:
Guided by the spirit of Caledonia, Saor’s latest opus captures the stark contrast between the echoes of a once-great heritage and the distractions of our modern lives. “Amidst the Ruins” draws listeners into a reverent reflection of Scotland’s sacred past, where the very ground holds stories of strength and identity that’s now overshadowed by fleeting, shallow pursuits.
More praise for Saor
“It’s just so epic. Saor is habitually great” – Angry Metal Guy
“Andy Marshall is the poster child for harnessing the random beauty of nature and threading it together with the limitless opportunity atmospheric folk/black metal presents” – Ghost Cult
“When it comes to atmospheric black metal, Saor needs no introduction” – Everything is Noise
“…critical listening for anyone who is a fan of black metal, folk metal or music in general” – Nine Circles
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) 5. Rebirth (14:10) Full runtime: 58:57
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
Metal Blade Records is pleased to welcome Inner Mongolian metal collective NINE TREASURES to its esteemed roster.
Thanks to three acclaimed albums, millions of streams, and European tours and festivals (Wacken Open Air, Woodstock Poland, etc), metal heroes NINE TREASURES are well on their way to accomplishing their goal of a Mongolian metal revolution. Formed by vocalist/guitarist Askhan Avagchuud in 2010 in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia in China, NINE TREASURES are a unique combination of heavy metal and traditional Mongolian instrumentation, utilizing both conventional vocals and Mongolian throat singing. Guitars, bass, and drums collide with indigenous string instruments including the balalaika and the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), resulting in a sonic kaleidoscope that follows no set template. Playing one-hundred-plus festival shows and headlining gigs per year in Asia, to audiences of up to 50,000, NINE TREASURES are at the top of their game.
Comments Askhan Avagchuud (guitars, vocals, balalaika, tovshuur), “We are excited to be on Metal Blade. We’ve always been inspired by heavy American and European bands. America and Europe are very important for us to tour and create a relationship with Metal music fans from these countries we admire.”
NINE TREASURES has nearly completed an epic new record, more than five years in the making, which will drop on Metal Blade next year. In the meantime, the band will re-release the twelve-song compilation album Awakening From Dukkha as well as a remaster of 2017’s Wisdom Eyes.
Awakening From Dukkha collects re-recorded songs from NINE TREASURES‘ three studio LPs, 2012’s Arvan Ald Guulin Honshoor, 2013’s Nine Treasures and 2017 Wisdom Eyes. The band’s evolution has been profound. “We experimented a lot and through our entire journey, we felt like we were getting better with each album,” Askhan says. “But the main vibe for us has always been the same, which was the pentatonic eastern music mixed with heavy metal. We don’t do half step notes often, that’s why the energy is similar throughout all of our albums.”
That said, the brand-new music on the as-yet-untitled 2025 LP will be a giant step for the band, as the frontman explains, “This new album is different from any of our past releases. We added focused production detail and evolved the way we write music. We are focused on big riffs and inspiring moments that take our audience on a journey; that’s part of the tradition we grew up in.”
The band takes its name from a group of objects referenced in ancient Mongolian folklore, NINE TREASURES touch on the mythology and fairy tales of their homeland. Askhan, a practicing Buddhist, is intent on using their music to bring comfort, and ease the suffering of others. “I want to share the teachings I’ve learned with people like me who have experienced anxiety or life struggles who seek refuge and healing in music,” Askhan says. “We want NINE TREASURES to bring positive and inspiring energy into the world – the greatest thing we can do with this is to inspire people.”
Watch a video for NINE TREASURES‘ “Wisdom Eyes“:
The reissues of Awakening From Dukkha and Wisdom Eyes will be released digitally on January 10th, 2025.
Awakening From Dukkha (Re-Recorded) Track Listing: 01. Black Heart 02. Arvan Ald Guulin Honshoor 03. Fable Of Mangas 04. Nomin Dalai 05. Tes River’s Hymn 06. Ten Years 07. The Dream About Ancient City 08. Praise For Fine Horse 09. The End Of The World 10. Wisdom Eyes 11. The Stubborn 12. Three Years Old Warrior
Wisdom Eyes (Remastered) Track Listing: 01. Ten Years 02. The End Of The World 03. My Hulunbuir 04. Wisdom Eyes 05. Hushuu Child 06. Us 07. Robe Of Prince 08. Don’t Want To Dance 09. The Stubborn
South London-based moshers AFTER SMOKE CLEARS have released their highly anticipated sophomore LP, Intentions, via self-release, alongside a video for explosive release single “Fractured“. Recorded and produced by Meyrick De La Fuente (Exist Immortal, VEXED, Eschalon), Intentions is a heavy, anthemic and cutting metalcore LP with a keen grasp on melodic brilliance, progressive fortitude and utter belligerence.
“Fractured” stands as one of the utmost highlights across Intentions, owed to its progressive, wide-reaching influences and tendencies. With polyrhythms and time signature shifting aplenty, the track also taps into elements of nu-metal and trip-hop, to craft an undeniably electrifying and dynamic experience.
Discussing the single, the band states: “”Fractured” is a song about struggling with perfection in a world where every detail is scrutinised. A person can be a high functioning individual, yet still trapped in their own expectations, behaviours, and brain wiring.”
The release of Intentions comes following hot streak of singles in “Unintelligent“, “Animal” (featuring Stephen MacConville of Confessions of a Traitor) and “Serenity“. This eight-track LP is a rallying cry; a defiant and emotionally potent metalcore romp that yearns to be heard, and firmly cements AFTER SMOKE CLEARS‘ place as the kings of the UK underground.
Alongside touring plans for late 2024 and early 2025 in place, to celebrate the album’s launch, the band will be hosting a headline album launch show 229 in London on November 23rd, with support from Iridium, Swarmed and Apathy. Tickets are available here, and you can find the poster for the event below.
The release show will be followed by two accompanying dates in December at Brighton‘s Green Door Store on December 12th, and Norwich‘s B2 on December 13th, with both shows featuring The Cartographer as main support. You can find tickets for all of their tour dates here.
TRACK LISTING
Status Game (feat. Damien Bigara)
Serenity (feat. Jimmy Dahmer)
Chase The Sun
Animal (feat. Stephen MacConville)
Fractured
Unintelligent
Echoes
Daze
BAND LINEUP Nick – Vocals Kiran – Guitar Aaron – Bass David – 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 ) 