Patryk Szymański, a musician well-known locally for his work with the band Transtime, has released his debut solo album, “Time Elevator.” This album is a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of 80s rock, infused with modern production techniques.
Szymański collaborated with renowned guitarist Andrzej Citowicz and Icelandic keyboardist Frederik “Fred” Gustavsson to create a sound that pays homage to bands like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, and Journey. One of the album’s most unique aspects is the use of artificial intelligence for vocals.
“Andrzej and I have been experimenting with AI and generated vocals for some time now,” Szymański explains. “I wanted to use AI to realize my own musical ideas, and Andrzej encouraged me to do so.”
The album, “Time Elevator,” is a sonic journey through Szymański’s musical influences, from his teenage years to the present. “It’s hard to hide my influences,” he admits. “Some of these ideas go back to my teenage years. I dug up old cell phones to find audio files from my dictaphone containing early versions of songs like ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Boulevard of Brokenhearted Souls.’ This album is the soundtrack to my musical life.”
“Time Elevator” is now available on all major streaming platforms, including YouTube Music, Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify.
Finnish melancholic metal heavyweights DAWN OF SOLACE have dropped their crushing new track, “Invitation”, taken from the forthcoming full-length album, “Affliction Vortex”. Due for release on February 14th via Noble Demon, “Affliction Vortex” promises to be a dark and captivating journey straight into the depths of Nordic melancholy.
Following the first two singles “Murder” and “Fortress”, “Invitation” is another powerful statement that showcases the band’s signature blend of heavy riffs and haunting melodies.
Mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen (WOLFHEART, BEFORE THE DAWN) comments on the track: “Invitation is a crushingly heavy and beautiful song at least from the writers point of view. Sometimes a song and lyrics are born like a stream of thought and with effortless creation but once all is done and you hear the song as a complete piece of art it ties a knot inside you that you struggle to open even after dozens of times of listening and even speaking certain parts of lyrics remains unpleasant.“
Formed in 2005 as Tuomas Saukkonen‘s creative outlet, DAWN OF SOLACE quickly established itself with their debut album, “The Darkness” (2006). Despite a hiatus due to legal complications, the band’s loyal fanbase remained unwavering, keeping the flame alive.
A triumphant return came in 2019 with the signing to Noble Demon. This partnership revitalized DAWN OF SOLACE, leading to two successful full-length albums – “Waves” (2020) and “Flames of Perdition” (2022) – alongside an unplugged EP. In early 2024, the band entered the studio, determined to craft their most versatile album yet.
“Affliction Vortex” will be coming out on February 14th via Noble Demon in CD, vinyl LP, and digital formats, and is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION
Cover art by CJ Winterheart
Tracklist: Inception Murder Fortress Into The Light Rival Invitation Dream Perennial Mother Earth
Furthermore, to celebrate the release of “Affliction Vortex”, DAWN OF SOLACE have announced a series of live shows, including a Finnish album release show on February 19th in Helsinki at ‘On The Rocks’. European fans can catch the band live on April 11th at ‘Chollerhalle’ in Zug, Switzerland, alongside Officium Triste and Dame Tu Alma. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.
19.02. Helsinki, FI – On The Rocks Tickets | Event
DAWN OF SOLACE are: Tuomas Saukkonen – Drums, guitars, bass and growling vocals Mikko Heikkilä – Clean and growling vocals Saku Moilanen – Keys Jukka Salovaara – Guitar solos
The long-awaited debut album “Tree Wishes” by the Finnish progrock trio Pujus of Jukra was released last Friday, 17th January.
The album is the result of years of work, with each member of the band leaving their own handprint. The end result sounds a bit heavier, more complex and more “Pujus” than on the band’s eponymous 2018 debut EP. The songs took final shape as a result of jamming and tight collaborative playing.
“It’s hard to categorize the album because the songs are so different from each other. The album has funky grooves, improvised soloing and doomy grooves. There’s a nice amount of chaos and prog in the background. It’s part of our style. I like to write different songs and it shows in this album”, says guitarist-singer Tuomas Riekkinen.
“Tree Wishes” was recorded at Tonehave studio in Lievestuore, Finland and was mixed by Tom Brooke. The mastering was done by Janne Hakanen.
Industrial metal force FRAU FLEISCHER are proud to reintroduce the music video for the track “Shining Star”, taken from the band’s upcoming album “We Are Not…”, set to be released on 21 February 2025. Originally released in 2024, the video is now available again for anyone who missed it—and for new fans eager to dive into the band’s signature sound.
“Shining Star” is a high-octane blend of industrial metal, merging punchy drums, electrifying synths, and a raw, gritty edge that defines the band’s unique sound. With influences ranging from metal and industrial to dance music, this track exemplifies Frau Fleischer’s bold, genre-defying approach. The lyrics deliver a powerful message, rejecting the labels of “winner” and “loser,” urging listeners to embrace their individuality and live fully in the moment. The song reflects on mortality and legacy, all while inspiring a collective celebration of life, unity, and self-expression. A vibrant, energetic anthem, “Shining Star” invites fans to cast aside inhibitions and dive into a pulsating dance of joy and defiance.
Formed in 2020 amidst the global pandemic, Frau Fleischer was initially a trio. However, following a lineup change, the band is now a powerful two-piece with Greg taking on guitar, vocals, drums, and bass, while Franz commands electronics and backing vocals. From their studio to the stage, Greg and Franz have embraced complete creative control—handling everything from songwriting to mastering and delivering electrifying live performances as a duo.
Their signature sound is an alchemy of metal, future pop, and industrial vibes. Frau Fleischer’s “trashy, provocative” image and fearless spirit have earned them comparisons to Metallica, Meshuggah, Joy Division, and Faith No More, blending seamlessly with their experimental approach.
Frau Fleischer draws inspiration from a diverse palette of influences, including the heavy-hitting riffs of Slipknot, the atmospheric flair of Depeche Mode, and the ethereal sounds of Dead Can Dance. The raw energy of VNV Nation and the gritty edge of bands like Rammstein and Faith No More are woven throughout their music, creating a sound that is distinctly their own.
Following the success of their debut album, When The Sun’s Down, which showcased their innovative sound, Frau Fleischer has transformed into a powerhouse duo—Greg and Franz—ready to impact the industrial metal landscape. With ten brand-new tracks that reflect their artistic growth, this upcoming release promises a thrilling blend of metal, future pop, and industrial vibes, enriched by nostalgic echoes of 80s and 90s dance music.
With their debut “Intergalactic Battle Tunes”, German high-speed power metallers SCULFORGE were undoubtedly one of the most exciting new releases of 2023 and have impressively underpinned this status with several singles over the past year. For all fans of the quintet, it is therefore certainly good news that the intergalactic journey and the sci-fi concept continues.
On March 20th, the new album “Cosmic Crusade Chronicles” with the subtitle “ …Stories from the… errr… Nevermind!” which picks up where the debut left off will be released! Look forward to 11 new tracks between power and thrash, metal anthems and blast beats, universal abysses and madness! More info and a first taster will be available soon. The band will also be performing live on a release tour on the occasion of the new album. The front cover of the new album and the confirmed live dates you can find below – stay tuned and be prepared!
Electronic metal group SOLENCE’s main goal is to bring the “fun” back to rock & roll by lifting audiences up with their high-energy performances and relatable lyrics. “Most of us in life struggle with insecurity, past trauma, or things we’re in now when we feel stuck, depressed, and down. Many bands describe those feelings, but we want to help people get out of them to make them feel stronger,” shares frontman Markus Videsäter. SOLENCE are now ready to help combat the world’s ‘most depressing day of the year’ aka Blue Monday (January 20) with the upcoming release of their new EP, BLUE MONDAY on January 17 via Better Noise Music. It features three of their new tracks: “F**k The Bad Vibes,”“A Banger A Day Keeps The Doctor Away,” and “Who You Gonna Call? (Solence),” which Houston Chronicle highlighted in their “Top 50 Best Underground Music Videos of 2024” list. It also includes two remixed versions of their hit track, “Good F**king Music” by Swedish-based producer MVRE and LA-based producer kodeblooded (Asking Alexandria, Charlotte Sands).
“We wanted to do something fun instead of feeling blue this holiday, so we asked MVRE and Kodeblooded to take care of it,” says the band collectively. “It’s so fun to hear ‘Good F**king Music’ in a new light, and the guys crushed it!”
Based out of Los Angeles and originally hailing from Sweden, SOLENCE’s lineup consists of Videsäter alongside guitarist David Strääf, keyboardist Johan Swärd, and drummer David “Viking” Vikingsson. The band have built a dedicated global audience on past tours opening for bands including Five Finger Death Punch, Ice Nine Kills, Electric Callboy, We Came As Romans, and The HU, in addition to festival appearances across Europe (Rock For People Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting, Resurrection Fest, Tuska Festival, Nova Rock Festival) and the U.S. (Aftershock, Louder Than Life, Blue Ridge Rock Fest). They will bring their rowdy and interactive stage show to audiences across the U.S. this Spring as support for The Amity Affliction alongside Hail The Sun and Many Eyes from February 28 to March 26. Tickets are on sale now at https://solencemusic.com/ – See dates listed below.
SOLENCE TOUR DATES
2/28 San Diego, CA – SOMA # 3/1 Fresno, CA – Tioga Brewery # 3/2 Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum # 3/3 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theatre # 3/5 Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom # 3/6 Memphis, TN – Graceland Live # 3/7 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues # 3/8 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl # 3/9 Birmingham, AL – Iron City # 3/11 Raleigh, NC – The Ritz # 3/12 Norfolk, VA – Norva # 3/13 Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues # 3/14 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel # 3/15 Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall # 3/17 Omaha, NE – Admiral # 3/19 Billings, MT – Pub Station # 3/21 Boise, ID – Knitting Factory # 3/22 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory # 3/23 Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom # 3/25 Reno, NV – Virginia St. Brewhouse # 3/26 Chico, CA – Senator Theatre #
#with The Amity Affliction, Hail The Sun & Many Eyes
Lauded as one of PANDORA’s “Rising Rock Artists To Watch In 2023, SOLENCE have to date garnered over 300 million cumulative streams, 800k+ monthly Spotify listeners, and over 90 million video views since their formation in 2012. The band started out releasing heavy renditions of well-known pop hits from the likes of Imagine Dragons, Fall Out Boy, Ed Sheeran, Britney Spears, and Queen before breaking out with their 2019 debut album BROTHERS. It was quickly followed by their sophomore album, DIRECTION, which saw them achieve their first Active Rock radio charting with “Animal In Me” which became SiriusXM Octane’s most-played track in 2020. Octane’s Sr. Director, Music Programming Vincent Usuriello described SOLENCE’s sound as “a dynamic fusion of rock, metal, and pop elements, with powerful vocals, electrifying guitar riffs, and infectious melodies, creating an immersive sonic experience.” In 2021 SOLENCE released a third album, Deafening, which showed their range of inspirations from music to anime, gaming, sci-fi, and even philosophy and soon followed with their latest album Hope Is A Cult in 2023. Amidst writing new material for SOLENCE, Videsäter and Strääf have lent their songwriting skills to pop acts including Jason Derulo and Bebe Rexha.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 