Following up their 2023 debut “Xibalba“, cinematic Black Metal project ERSHETU, led by conceptualist/lyricist Void and composer Sacr, presents a second offering. New album “Yomi” finds the band growing in confidence and stature, heading to deeper and darker climes as they immerse themselves in the death folklore of Japanese Shinto.
As with the debut, Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST) returns on bass and additional guitars. However, in line with the album’s concept, he also assumes lead vocal duties on “Yomi“, translating the inner voice of the kami via the authority of his tortured snarl and hypnotic choirs.
The album was recorded and mixed by V. at Earthsound Studio and mastered by Bruno Varea at Upload Studio, with artwork/design by Maciej Kamuda and poetry by Manon Gayet.
Composer Sacr shares insights into the conceptual background of “Yomi“:
“Void and I love Japanese culture, especially for its history, mythology, Buddhism and, of course, its sounds. This country is fascinating because of its high-tech side and its attachment to ancestral customs. It was a completely natural choice for us. There are no similarities between “Xibalba” and “Yomi” because this time, we are addressing death linked to a religion that is still practiced by more than 90 million people today. The Mayans were a civilization. The approach is therefore different – from my point of view.“
ERSHETU introduces “Yomi” via opening track, ‘Ketsurui‘, paired with a haunting video directed by David Tomanek. Watch the clip below and stream the song on Bandcamp:
‘Ketsurui‘ perfectly represents the mesmerizing qualities of “Yomi” where ritual percussion, orchestration and atmospherics – including tones derived from the Koto, Shamisen and other traditional musical instruments of Japan – meet full-throttle and cerebral Black Metal power, as earworm melodies resolve into tumultuous states of mind and shadowed existential meditations.
Sacr elaborates further:
“‘Ketsurui‘ started from a melody; that of the introduction played on the Japanese Koto. The title is quite rich in atmosphere and melody. I wanted to explore the different possibilities with all the instruments including the Shamisen, the Shakuhachi (flute) and the Koto without losing sight of the cinematographic aspect of the music; all sublimated by the incredible voices of Vindsval. This track, and the album in general, is very different from “Xibalba“. “Xibalba” was the jungle, nature, divine incantations, tribal percussions…here, we are more in spirituality and, somewhere, in the spiritual quest for death. Death is one of the 4 sufferings inherent in life in Nishiren Buddhism. “Yomi” is in a way, a spiritual journey to overcome one’s fear of death.“
“Yomi” will be released on CD, vinyl – including exclusive DMP editions (CD/vinyl) – and digital via Debemur Morti on November 8th. A specifically designed t-shirt will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are available via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp shop.
ERSHETU was founded in 2021 by conceptualist/lyricist Void and composer Sacr to create cinematic music that blends epic, obscure, and atmospheric Metal with the evocative dramatism of film scores. Each album examines the concept of ‘death’ as interpreted by different civilizations or religions.
The project’s 2023 debut, “Xibalba“, drew inspiration from Mayan folklore and sacred text the Popol Vuh, and featured the unmistakable vocals of Norway’s Lars Are Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD) plus bass/additional guitars by the enigmatic French artist Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST).
ERSHETU‘s upcoming second work, “Yomi“, explores the death-lore of Japanese Shinto. The album features an expanded role for Vindsval – including lead vocals – and sees the band heading to deeper and darker territory.
JOHNNY O’NEIL is proud to annouce that the music video for “Take Me Down” has been selected by seven film festivals around the world. Johnny O’Neil speaking about the film festival selections, “We are so thrilled and humbled for our video to be selected by film festivals in cities ranging from NY to Rome to Tokyo! So exciting to be seen and heard by audiences around the world!” “Take Me Down” is from his third album “Brand New Day”. The video can be viewed below.
Discussing the video for “Take Me Down”, Johnny O’Neil had this to say, “The subject matter is something that has touched just about everybody in some form or fashion, the epidemic of opioid addiction. When it came time to shoot the video our stellar videographers, Brianna and Kurt Jorgensen, had a very clear concept in mind, shooting the entire video in black and white. As such, there is a more cinematic ambience, and ironically it seemed to soften the more disturbing scenes. I wanted to convey a glimpse into that terrible affliction through the view of a narrator looking in from the outside. It was a delicate line to tread; we didn’t want to be gratuitous in capturing the inherently dark nature of this crisis, while at the same time conveying that there is hope, and help for anyone who is suffering. It is obviously quite a departure from our first video for the title track, but it also serves to showcase the range of emotions and sonic landscapes that we traverse as a band on this album.”
Praise for “Take Me Down” from radio, retail and websites:
“Take Me Down highlights amazing guitar work, that’s full of emotion and bluesy riffs reminiscent of Michael Schenker, Gary Moore, Scott Gorham and Mick Jones. Great track!” – Leni DiMancari President/CEO, Ten13 Entertainment
“For those that are looking for new classic rock, this is the album. Mix Cheap Trick, Thin Lizzy, UFO and even Big Star and that is just some of the bands you will be reminded of when you listen to this instant classic from Johnny O’Neill and the album, Brand New Day.” – Danny Beck, Know Name Records
A fine slab of classic rock that will please and surprise many people. – Sleaze Roxx
This is strong and naturally resonates with me. Well done. – Andy Powell, Wishbone Ash
“Loving “Take Me Down”, it may be my favorite song off “Brand New Day”. Old school vibe, but a modern groove with a smokin’ solo.” – Brian Basher, BraveWords Radio
Wooow, “Take Me Down” is a great song that instantly makes you bang your head and feet beat to the beat, Johnny O’Neil at his best! – Tarja Virmakari, Metal Shock Finland
It’s been said “Don’t bore us…get to the chorus”. Johnny doesn’t mess around by getting to the hook straight away. This is followed by a descending verse featuring a smooth vocal delivery. Before you know it the chorus comes back around and ropes you in. By the end of the song you can’t help but sing along. – Mark Skaar, Program Director KIOW
O’Neil’s third solo effort, Brand New Day, covers broad musical territory, taking elements from the past and adding a decidedly modern twist, combining guitar-driven hard rock and R&B with hooky choruses that get stuck in your head for days. Recruiting the talents of John Funk on lead guitar, Benny Craig on bass, and Joachim Baecker on drums, as well as engineer/co-producer Brian Bart – O’Neil’s former bandmate in Dare Force – O’Neil and his full band spent months writing and rehearsing before hunkering down to record with Bart at Winterland Studios in Minneapolis, as well as the legendary Pachyderm Studios in Cannon Falls, Minn., where Nirvana famously recorded In Utero.
Graphic Design & cover photo: JoBa Visuals
1. BRAND NEW DAY (J. O’Neil) 2. TAKE ME DOWN (J. O’Neil, J. Funk) 3. MY MONA (J. O’Neil, J. Funk) 4. IT’S TOO HARD TO SAY GOODBYE (R. Hogan)* 5. WHEN JANIE MOVED INTO TOWN (J. O’Neil) 6. IN SEARCH OF (J. O’Neil) 7. COMIN’ DOWN LIKE A MOUNTAIN (J. O’Neil) 8. HANDS UP (J. O’Neil, J. Funk) 9. DON’T BELIEVE A WORD (P. Lynott)** 10. TELL ME YOUR STORY (J. O’Neil)
Band Members: JOHNNY O’NEIL: All Lead and Harmony Vocals, Guitars JOHN FUNK: Guitars BENNY CRAIG: Bass JOACHIM BAECKER: Drums and Percussion
JOHNNY O’NEIL:
O’Neil has been in practice as a Ph.D.-level clinical psychologist for over two decades, quite a feat considering he dropped out of high school at 16 to focus on his burgeoning music career. After more than a decade of achieving many of his musical dreams, including the ‘80s with Dare Force, O’Neil decided to go back to school at the age of 28 to get his GED. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota, followed by a Master’s degree and eventually a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from The Ohio State University.
Now a solopreneur in private practice as a forensic psychologist, O’Neil conducts Independent Psychological Evaluations (IPEs) of claimants involved in workers’ comp and personal injury cases, and provides courtroom testimony as an expert witness – a fascinating occupation to be sure. In fact, he found himself interviewing dozens of Minneapolis police officers who filed disability claims due to PTSD in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Not surprisingly, for O’Neil, playing music is an invaluable form of therapy and expressing his emotions. “I don’t have a choice, I have to play music,” he says. “It’s how I’m wired and how I preserve my sanity. It’s therapy for me. I’ll be performing until my last gasp.”
O’Neil fell in love with music at the age of five, begging his parents to buy him a guitar after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show, which they finally did when he turned eight years old. The stars aligned when his future Dare Force bandmate, Brian Bart, moved in across the street when he was nine. “We had a tussle over something silly in the front yard, then my mom invited us in for a piece of cake; we’ve been thick as thieves ever since,” O’Neil says.
O’Neil and Bart immediately bonded over their mutual love of music (including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Winter, Steppenwolf, and Creedence Clearwater Revival), and quickly formed a band together. One of their first gigs was at Sunny Hollow Elementary School in 6th grade, where Bob Dylan’s younger brother, David Zimmerman, was their music teacher and introduced their band to an audience of 500-some fellow classmates.
Infusing his songwriting with his personal values of tolerance, compassion and empathy throughout his career, O’Neil believes that an important part of an artist’s job is to not only reflect what’s going on in the world, but also to comment on it and influence it. To this end, O’Neil’s driving rock tunes go beyond being simply upbeat, feel-good rock ‘n roll, to songs that really have something to say to the world.
DARE FORCE: (Johnny O’Neil’s previous band Dare Force) Dare Force was a legendary hard rock/heavy metal band based in Minneapolis that was initially founded by Johnny and Brian Bart when they were 18 years old. Dare Force released three albums in the 1980s and performed in concert with numerous national acts such as KISS, Ted Nugent, Triumph, Kansas, UFO, the Joe Perry Project, and Ratt, as well as headlining in venues throughout the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Dare Force also had several songs that received heavy airplay on rock radio stations throughout the midwestern US in the 1980s. Dare Force released its third album, “Firepower,” with a reformed version of the band in 1989. The original lineup performed occasional reunion gigs after the long run of the original band ended in 1987, but the original version of Dare Force stopped performing live altogether after their last reunion show in 2002. Dare Force reformed yet again with a return to a four-piece lineup in 2017, and released its fourth album, “Callin’ Your Name,” in 2018.
Live Performances by Rusty Cooley (Day of Reckoning), Hindsight,Dead Set Red, Chasing Yesterday, and Bar Rats.
G4L Records is proud to announce Cancer Benefit Show #2, a concert aimed at raising funds to support John, a Houston Texas local battling Stage 4 Colon Cancer.
“Following the success of Show #1 last year that starred John Corabi (Motley Crue/The Dead Daisies) and Anthony Corder (Tora Tora) in Nashville, I’m very pleased to announce we have another incredible lineup for G4LCBS #2 for John,” said Markus Muller-Stach, Founder.
“Having gone through the cancer experience with my late wife, I understand how challenging and overwhelming this experience can be. Benefit events like this provide crucial support to individuals like John, who are unable to work due to their illness,” said Mr. Muller-Stach, who organizes these events nationwide in honor of his late wife.
This year’s event will showcase a dynamic range of Houston’s rock talent, from intense metal riffs to classic rock vibes. Please join us on September 21, 2024, at BFE Rock Club in Houston, TX for a great cause and an evening of unforgettable performances.
All proceeds from the concert will go directly to John to help with his medical costs and treatment. The night will also feature raffles and an auction to further support the cause.
Event Details:
Date: September 21, 2024
Location: BFE Rock Club (11528 Jones Rd, Houston, TX)
Time: Doors 6pm
All ages
Tickets: Door $10 (21 & over) / $15 (Under 21)
Donate to John’s GoFundMe. Click Here – For more information, please visit Facebook Event Page. Click Here
LORDS OF THE TRIDENT, fresh off their acclaimed rendition of Steve Winwood’sValerie, now unveil Jet Set City, the fourth single from their upcoming EP V.G.E.P. (Video Game EP). This latest release, accompanied by a captivating music video, pays homage to one of the band’s beloved video games, Jet Grind Radio.
Frontman Fang VonWrathenstein explains: “In the early 2000s I bought a used Dreamcast from a friend, and it came with a copy of the game Jet Grind Radio. I couldn’t stop playing it! The look, the gameplay, and especially the iconic soundtrack captivated me. It quickly became one of the first games that I ever finished to 100% completion. When we were writing this EP, I knew I wanted this song full of rebellious vibes to be about the street-ruling graffiti gangs of Tokyo-to! It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but in order to shoot the music video I had to slowly re-learn how to rollerblade. I had quite a few painful spills leading up to filming day!”
The EP made its “sudden drop” as an exclusive release for LORDS OF THE TRIDENT’s Patreon supporters. Anyone who pledges $5 or more to the LORDS OF THE TRIDENT Patreon gets immediate access to download the full EP and the band’s last four albums, 25+ live albums, 10+ singles, and more!
Check out the music video for first single To Kill A Godhere,watch the music video for The Ballad of Jon Milwaukeehere and Watch the music video for Valeriehere.
About LORDS OF THE TRIDENT
Born from a volcano containing metal and steel, Fang VonWrathenstein‘s immortal quest was to assemble a band of the most metal warriors imaginable. After thousands of years and multiple bandmates captured or killed by the shadowy multinational group known as SPIDR, the LORDS OF THE TRIDENT are currently in their strongest lineup yet: Fang – whose voice will randomly set microphones ablaze – on lead vocals. The wrongfully disgraced aristocrat-turned-sellsword Baron Taurean Helleshaar on lead guitar. The shadowy master of samurai subterfuge Akira Metal on lead guitar. The high priest of death, Pontifex Mortis, on lead bass. And the animal-loving, percussively proficient Master Hercule “Herc” Schlagzeuger on the lead drums. Together, these warriors roam the lands in search of ever greater battles, more lustrous loot, and the strongest of heavy metal fans to join their metal army!
INFERNO FESTIVAL NORWAY 2025 is pleased to now welcome the next set of bands to the highly anticipated lineup, which will once again take place in Oslo (NO) from April 17-20 for another blasphemous Easter! The festival now welcomes AURA NOIR, THUS, HATE ANGEL + AASAR to the lineup! Tickets and passes can be found HERE.
The full lineup is now as follows with more TBA:
BEHEMOTH SATYRICON 1349 ROTTING CHRIST TSJUDER AURA NOIR TIAMAT KYLESA NECROPHOBIC BLOOD INCANTATION DØDHEIMSGARD THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER GAEREA AETERNUS SETH ABYSSIC SPECTRAL WOUND LAMENTARI ATTAN ANGIST BYTHOS SCHWEIN PONTE DEL DIAVOLO THUS SYN VORBID HATE ANGEL VIOLENT MAGIC ORCHESTRA ROSA FAENSKAP AASAR UMA DIZMAL
INFERNO FESTIVAL NORWAY previously announced the hotel deals for the 2025 edition. The official festival hotel partner is once again the Clarion Hotel® The Hub. Fans can now book their rooms at a discounted rate using the code “INFERNO,” which is good until March 17, 2025! For more information can be found via the official Inferno Festival Website or can be booked directly HERE.
The audience, artists, media, and music industry personnel will gather at Clarion The Hub for happenings, partying and a good night sleep.
Moreover, The Inferno Music Conference will take place at the hotel prior to the festival doors opening on Thursday and Friday, for which more info will be revealed soon! Hotel guests will also be treated to an epic and inclusive breakfast buffet that runs until 11:00 A.M. (it’s worth waking up early for!) as well as free access to the swimming pool and sauna.
The Hub boasts Oslo’s best location, right in the city centre, next to Oslo Central Station and the Airport Express Train. It’s also only about a five-minute walk from the iconic rock bars and venues in which Inferno Festival will be hosting bands and special events: Rockefeller & John Dee, Salt, Kniven, Vaterland, Brewgata and Rock In, allowing guest to travel freely without the expense of taxis or transit.
The iconic Inferno Metal Festival started in 2001 and is the longest running metal festival in Norway and one of the most important extreme metal festivals in the world. We are very proud of this position and we will continue fronting Norwegian metal and bringing bands from all over the world to Norway. Inferno Metal Festival is being held four days at Rockefeller Music Halls’ two stages Rockefeller and John Dee as well as many smaller clubs around Oslo. The festival takes place during Easter in Norway when not a lot of other stuff is happening in Oslo. The festival are usually sold out and more than fifty percent of the audience are from outside of Norway. The ticket sales are from all over the world including China, Australia, Chile, Japan, Taiwan, Canada, USA, Columbia, Argentina and many more.
Polish Blackened Death Group Ephialtes Shares brand new music video for new single To The Victims of Sirens Out now! from the band’s upcoming debut album “Melas Oneiros” out November 1st.
Produced and directed by CMS – Creative Media Solution – Filmed at the location of Fort Prusy Nysa and Moto Fort Nysa
– The song “To the Victims of Sirens” draws upon a story from Homer’s “Odyssey” – our titular protagonist, Odysseus, trying to reach home after the Trojan war and lands upon the island of Sirens. Their beautiful, mesmerizing voices lead sailors to their doom, causing them to crash their ships and drown in the process. While Odysseus commanded his crew to stuff their ears with wax as a protection and ordered them to tie him to the mast of the ship, in the song our character falls victim to the Sirens’ deceiving singing and ultimately shares the abysmal fate of men that came there before him.
Ephialtes’ debut album ‘Melas Oneiros’ out Nov 1st is an aggressive, anthem-laden Melodic Blackened Death Metal with a traditional Heavy Metal feel to it. A peculiar, explosive blend that the band itself decided to call Heavy Metal of Death.
Track list Melas Oneiros 1. Ad Patres (intro) 2. To The Victims Of Sirens 3. In Her Embrace Again 4. The Void 5. Children Of Arachne 6. Homo Deus 7. The Blood Of The Gods 8. Pulvis Et Umbra Sumus
The name of the band derives from the Ancient Greek word “ephiáltēs (ἐφιάλτης)”, meaning “nightmare”, which in turn derives from the “ephàllomai (ἐφάλλομαι)”, composed of two elements: “epí (επί)” (upon, on) plus “állomai (ἅλλομαι)” (assault, climb, uphill, jumping, jump) because, in reference to a popular belief, the nightmares were nicknamed “one who climbed over the body of the dormant”. Ephialtes. One who leaps upon. The nightmare. The history of Ephialtes started over the course of the global pandemic. During that period the band’s driving force Przemysław Tomasz Olbryt alias Quazarre (also known from Devilish Impressions, Asgaard, ex-Crionics) had been hard at work on what would later turn to be their debut album, ‘Melas Oneiros’.
LINE UP: Przemysław Tomasz Olbryt (Quazarre) – vocal / guitar Hubert Wawrzyniak (Stiggma) – guitar Adam Niekrasz (Avernatus) – drums Marek Tuskowski (Tzar) – bass Marcus Edvardsson – synthesizers (guest studio appearance)
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
Ads
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 ) 