Another hot contender for taking the longest time to release new music, Hamburg’s own progressive rock/metal outfit EDEN CIRCUS are back with their new single ‘Cynics of Life‘.
10 years have now passed since the last album “Marula” by the five-piece northern German post-prog rockers EDEN CIRCUS. Since then, events have accelerated. First the band has to say goodbye to both guitarists, because Andi is leaving the band and guitarist Nils is moving to the Krupps. Not only are two important driving forces lost, but also the previous songwriting process.
After Waik and Dennis joined the band, they finally played a few gigs again and worked on the new album. Even before Covid paralyzes the entire music landscape, numerous other events turn the band’s everyday life upside down: people move, build houses and 2 1/2 recording studios, start families and new bands. Sometimes the five of them don’t see each other for weeks. But there was never any talk about quitting.
Because the rare rehearsals always clearly show that the band can still deliver. In addition, the new record is finished and, despite all the new commitments, no one has lost the joy of presenting their songs to an audience that celebrates their music on sweaty, beer-soaked club evenings. So here’s to something new!
Finnish progressive metal act Pressure Points releases their second single from this autumn, titled Shapeless. The first one, ‘The Chase‘, saw the light of day in September accompanied by a stunning music video directed by Teppo Ristola. These releases are a continuation to their critically-acclaimed third album, The Island, which was released in March 2023 through Art Gates Records.
Composition: Veli-Matti Kyllönen, Saku Aaltonen, Kari Olli
Lyrics: Juha Tretjakov
ISRC: DGA0S2449809
Artwork made by Juha Tretjakov
In addition to the release, the group continues to concentrate on writing new material for their fourth album and continues touring. Hellsinki Metal Festival club show and a festival in Masters of Rock, Czechia, are already been booked for next year.
The founding member of the band and drummer Vili Auvinen summarizes his views of the song:
“Shapeless captures the wide spectrum of musical styles we explore. It transitions seamlessly from a mellow intro to arena-rock-inspired 80s metal riffs, and from groovy, hard-hitting death metal passages to catchy, pop-infused rock choruses. Blend all of this with the distinct Pressure Points touch, and you get a modern progressive pop-metal anthem.”
11.1.2025 Bar Loose, Helsinki. Hellsinki Metal Festival club show, w/ Crimson Sun ja Unen.
17.5.2025 Monttu, Pori, w/ TBA.
Pressure Points is a melodic metal act founded in Heinola, Finland, in the summer of 2004. Its music has been described as exceptional in the field of melodic and progressive metal, blending many different styles with a strong sense of melody combined with innovative and dynamic constructions.
These metallers have shared the stages with such international acts as Katatonia, Samael, Omnium Gatherum, Insomnium and Fleshgod Apocalypse.
Past tours: Fleshgod Apocalypse + Omnium Gatherum tour, Baltic leg, in 2022, Winter’s Gate Finnish tour with Insomnium and Swallow the Sun in 2016, Those Whom The Gods Detest with Nile in North Europe in 2011 Keep of Kalessin Finnish tour in 2010.
Line-up: Juha Tretjakov – Vocals Veli-Matti Kyllönen – Keyboards & backing vocals Kari Olli – Guitar Vili Auvinen – Drums Janne Parikka – Bass
Session members: Juho Helppi – Rhythm guitar Saku Aaltonen – Rhythm guitar & backing vocals
You want it true, heavy and loud? You love the 80s and you would die for pure fuckin’ Heavy Metal? Then LÖANSHARK is your band! You will find everything your metal heart is beating for within their traditional sound, that takes no prisoners!
Following their recent signing with powerhouse label ROAR (RPM) and a first video single, the album opening track “Electric Shockin’ Waves” of their forthcoming studio offering No Sins To Confess, today, the Barcelona-based heavy metal trio has unleashed a brand new song, entitled “The City Goes Fast”!
LÖANSHARK‘s No Sins To Confess will be released on February 14, 2025 via ROAR;the pre-sale is available at this location: https://loanshark.rpm.link/nosins
About the new single, the band tells us: “Inspired by the experience that Lögan lived as a result of his move from his quiet hometown in Sardinia (Italy) to the convulsive city of Barcelona (Spain), the song describes through solid riffs and emotional melodies a mixture of melancholy, courage and desire to start over and reach the top.”
LÖANSHARK was founded as a power-trio in 2017, in the heart of Barcelona and is currently taking the scene by storm as an uprising star on the NWOTHM heaven, just alongside Spanish fellow acts such as HITTEN, SAVAGED, WITCHTOWER or IRON CURTAIN. Following their 2018 debut EP “The Warning Session” and two singles – including their Underground hit “Fast, Heavy, Loud’N Proud” – which were all featured on the “The Gangland Tapes” CD in 2021, now, LÖANSHARK are gearing up for the release of their much-awaited, new studio album, entitled No Sins To Confess.
Everything about LÖANSHARK is old-school and like a flashback into the early 80s metal scene. “This is what we feel and what we are, so it’s kinda impossible for us to not sound old-school, because it is in our DNA”, describes bassist Aless. You can already see that spirit within their artwork, their logo or their look. ”For the cover artwork, we wanted that 80’s movie atmosphere, something eye catchy, dangerous, exciting and sexy! So we have choosen a smoky alley as the setting, long and sexy female legs, that hide a lethal weapon behind them, and there we are, about to die at the hands of this hitwoman who already has “another man in the trunk”. We want to maintain that “mafia” atmosphere in our work, we want it to be our identifying seal, in accordance with the name we chose for the band.”
No Sins To Confess will be featuring re-recorded, early tracks “Machine Gunner” and “Heavy Metal Addicts” as well as a cover version of NWOBHM cult band MARSEILLE and their track “Open Fire”. In the end you will get ten exciting tracks of a young band, that is obviously on fire. ”I think we managed to sound fresh within the genre”, summarises Aless. “Obviously we play traditional heavy metal and that aura is going to reach you when you hear it, but at the same time we try to ensure that no riff reminds you explicitly of any other song. Another virtue we have is, that we are what you hear on the album. We try not to be pretentious with the production and when you see us live you will get a very similar experience. People are usually surprised by our live sound, created by just three crazy people.“
EX DEO, the Juno nominated project of KATAKYLSM frontman Maurizio Iacono, will unleash their EP “Year Of The Four Emperors.” The EP is their first with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) and will be released on January 10, 2025. The band will also embark on a tour of Europe that month in support of DARK FUNERAL and FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE before heading to North America in the spring in support of SEPTICFLESH and VLTIMAS.
To commemorate the release announcement, the band have revealed the first single, ‘Vespasian,’ along with a lyric video which can be watched here:
Maurizio comments about the song: “The EP’s closing track is an anthem of resilience and renewal. Vespasian emerges as a figure of stability amid the chaos, and the music reflects his calculated strength. Triumphant melodies intertwine with thunderous percussion, capturing his consolidation of power and the restoration of Rome’s fractured empire. The lyrics exalt Vespasian as the harbinger of a new era, culminating in a resounding declaration of victory and legacy. His reign ushers in the Flavian dynasty and a semblance of peace.”
“Let The Devil In” – European Winter Tour 2025 w/ DARK FUNERAL, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, KAMI NO IKARI Presented by Metal Hammer, metal.de & Decibel-Touring 03.01.2025 DE Hamburg – Markthalle 04.01.2025 DE Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle 2 05.01.2025 BE Sint-Niklaas – De Casino 07.01.2025 UK London – O2 Academy Islington 08.01.2025 FR Paris – La Machine du Moulin Rouge 09.01.2025 FR Toulouse – Le Bikini 10.01.2025 ES Burgos – Sala Andén 56 11.01.2025 ES Madrid – La Sala del WiZink Center 12.01.2025 ES Barcelona – Sala Razzmatazz 2 14.01.2025 FR Villeurbanne (Lyon) – La Rayonne 15.01.2025 IT Trezzo sull’Adda (MI) – Live Club 16.01.2025 CH Zurich – Komplex 457 17.01.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Werk) 18.01.2025 HU Budapest – Barba Negra 19.01.2025 HR Zagreb – Boogaloo 21.01.2025 AT Vienna – SimmCity 22.01.2025 SK Kosice – Collosseum Club 23.01.2025 PL Wroclaw – Centrum Koncertowe A2 24.01.2025 CZ Prague – MeetFactory 25.01.2025 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 26.01.2025 NL Utrecht – TivoliVredenburg * * w/ FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE only
30.01. – 03.02.2025 US Miami, FL – 70,000 Tons of Metal
“Modern Primitive In North America Tour 2025” w/ SEPTICFLESH, VLTIMAS Presented by Hard Impact Artist Management & Continental Touring USA 10.02.2025 US Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall 11.02.2025 US Dallas, TX – Granada Theater 12.02.2025 US Albuquerque NM – Sunshine Theater 13.02.2025 US Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater 14.02.2025 US San Diego CA – Brick By Brick 15.02.2025 US San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 16.02.2025 US Los Angeles, CA – 1720 17.02.2025 US Las Vegas, NV – Sinwave 19.02.2025 US Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater 20.02.2025 US Lawrence, KS – The Granada Theater 21.02.2025 US St Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall 22.02.2025 US Joliet, IL – The Forge 23.02.2025 US Cleveland, OH – TempleLive / The Asylum 24.02.2025 CA Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall 26.02.2025 CA Ottawa, ON – Overflow Brewing Company 27.02.2025 CA Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD 28.02.2025 US Worcester, MA – The Palladium (Upstairs) 01.03.2025 US Albany, NY – Empire Live 02.03.2025 US New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
The 7th Guild has released a lyric video for “Holy Land”, first single taken from the debut album “Triumviro” to be released on February 21st by Scarlet Records. PRE-ORDER
The holy land: a neverending utopistic wish, the quest for your very own perfect place to be. Dream-like melodies and catchy harmonies are the main musical forces behind one of the most power metal-shaped songs of “Triumviro”. Close your eyes and feel the exciting sound of freedom!
video by Ivan Castelli
debut album for the brand new Italian operatic metal supergroup conceived by Skeletoon’s leader and frontman Tomi Fooler;
featuring Giacomo Voli (Rhapsody Of Fire) and Ivan Giannini (former Vision Divine, Derdian) on vocals, forming the three metal tenors;
featuring Michael Ehré (Gamma Ray, The Unity), Simone Mularoni (DGM), Francesco Ferraro (Freedom Call, Bloodorn), Daniele Mazza (Ancient Bards), Alessio Lucatti (Vision Divine, Deathless Legacy);
produced, mixed and mastered by Tomi Fooler, Simone Mularoni and Simone Bertozzi at Domination Studio;
cover artwork by Thomas Everhard (Edguy, Avantasia, Therion);
artwork by Thomas Everhard
“Triumviro” tracklist: 1 Holy Land 2 The 7th Guild 3 Glorious 4 La Promessa Cremisi 5 In Nomine Patris 6 Time 7 Guardians Of Eternity 8 The Metal Charade 9 Fairy Tale (Shaman cover)
The 7th Guild saw the light in 2021 as side-project of Skeletoon’s frontman and songwriter Tomi Fooler. The idea at its base was to put together a powerful trio of singers in the vein of the legendary Three Tenors (Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo & José Carreras).
Rhapsody Of Fire’s Giacomo Voli and Vision Divine/Derdian’s Ivan Giannini joined Tomi Fooler to create this magic trio. The band has been completed with a strong line-up that includes the blazing drumming of Michael Ehré (Gamma Ray, The Unity), who forms a granitic rhythm section with Francesco Ferraro (Freedom Call, Bloodorn) on bass. Simone Mularoni (DGM), who also produced the album at his Domination Studio, is the genius man behind the guitars, while the cinematic orchestration are vividly painted by Daniele Mazza (Ancient Bards) and Alessio Lucatti (Vision Divine, Deathless Legacy) is the majestic chief keyboard wizard.
Catchy power metal melodies are melted with a symphonic music style, giving the perception of an operatic composing process. Emerging sound passes through classic orchestral arrangements with bombastic cinematic patterns, resulting in a wonderful choral result. References to the sounds of early Rhapsody Of Fire, Andre Matos and latest Helloween appear here and there among the unique style developed by Tomi Fooler & Co.
FFO: Rhapsody Of Fire, Luca Turilli, Angra, Andre Matos, Avantasia, Helloween
The 7th Guild:
Tomi Fooler – vocals Giacomo Voli – vocals Ivan Giannini – vocals Simone Mularoni – guitar Francesco Ferraro – bass Daniele Mazza – orchestras and arrangements Alessio Lucatti – keyboards and piano Michael Ehrè – drums
January 31, 2025 will see Barcelona-based power metal act KILMARA release their epic, new studio album ‘Journey to the Sun’ via ROAR. Available as CD jewel case, limited to 300 copies “Mediterranean Aura” marbled vinyl and digital streaming/download, you can pre-order your album copy now at this location: https://kilmara.rpm.link/jttsalbum
Following the previously-released album title track, accompanied by a stunning retro video clip, today, KILMARA are premiering their latest single “Chances”! The band writes:
“This is one of the most well-rounded tracks on the album,”says Carles Salse (guitars & synths), “a roller coaster of music and emotions where we find the forcefulness of power metal with doubled guitars, more intimate and delicate parts and a chorus closer to melodic rock, once again accompanied by orchestrations and synthesizers from the 80s that give Kilmara a sound to continue exploring in the future.”
Vocalist Dani Ponce agrees:“This song is pure passion, pure devotion, pure love. It’s about everything we feel when we see that person for the first time for whom we would travel to hell and back for.”
Guitarist John Portillo reveals: “When Carles Salse showed me what he was working on, I almost started dancing in the purest 80’s style, I thought we were facing a clear single.”
On their forthcoming magnum opus “Journey to the Sun”, KILMARA sound more current, more powerful and heavier than ever, thanks to an excellent and careful production. With the aim set on finding the best and most fresh sound possible, KILMARA put the recording of their new album in the hands of Carles Salse in his Sureau Studio, and the also teamed up with world-renowned and award-winning producer Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan, Angus MCSIX, Rhapsody Of Fire, Riot V). Conceptually, ‘Journey to the Sun’ is set in the Arcade halls of the late 80’s, where first loves, unbreakable friendships, rivalries, defeats and victory celebrations took place. KILMARA, pick up the baton as heirs of the heroes of Power Metal and bring back the singer of the legendary and sorely missed swedish band Lost Horizon, Daniel Heiman, one of the best voices that the genre has given and who will undoubtedly overwhelm you with his performance as a special guest in “Take me Back”.
After the additions of Eric Killer, a real steamroller on the Drums, and the guitarist, producer and composer Carles Salse, the band is renewed in every way and presents their new work ‘Journey to the Sun’, an adventure of epic proportions that transcends the limits explored up to this point by the band from Barcelona. With this new chapter in their career, KILMARA tells us about the power and strength that all human beings are capable of gathering when we are united by the same purpose. They also tell us about the struggle to discover the path to truth and freedom. All of this in a journey to the impossible, crossing borders beyond this very dimension to finally reach contact with the Sun.
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 ) 