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New Brainchild of Guitar Virtuoso Tom Fountainhead, CHANGELING, Sign to Season of Mist

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CHANGELING, Tom Fountainhead. Leave a comment
Photo by Natalia Kempin

With a spirit that fearlessly transcends musical boundaries, CHANGELING, the brainchild of virtuoso Tom Fountainhead, is proud to announce its signing with Season of Mist. This alliance marks the dawn of a transformative chapter, promising to reshape the musical landscape with an avant-garde fusion of genres.

An illustrious career that includes collaborations with titans such as Obscura, Defeated Sanity, and Amogh Symphony, Tom Fountainhead’s mastery in composition, production, and innovative fretless guitar work has earned him the reputation of a “modern-day guitar legend.” CHANGELING, Fountainhead’s newest incarnation, epitomizes his relentless pursuit of musical innovation.

Set to enthrall audiences with a 60-minute concept album, CHANGELING‘s debut stands as a complete exploration of artistic and technical prowess. Infused with progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, and enriched with intricate orchestrations by a 50-piece ensemble of guests, the album is a multifaceted sonic experience, to be experienced not only in traditional formats, but also being the first extreme metal album to make full use of the spatial audio format Dolby Atmos.

“I’m extremely excited to be working with Season Of Mist for the release of Changeling” Fountainhead states. “The culmination of 4 years of work and the talents of over 50 musicians coming together in a new project that marks the absolute peak of my work in extreme metal so far. “

As CHANGELING begins this audacious journey with Season of Mist, music enthusiasts worldwide are invited to witness the beginning of a new era. Follow CHANGELING & Fountainhead for updates and prepare to experience a symphony of technical ingenuity and artistic exploration.

“The Steve Vai of the new millennium.” – Christian Münzner (Obscura, Necrophagist)

“The Steve Vai of the new millennium.” – Christian Münzner (Obscura, Necrophagist)

“One of the absolute best players in the world.” – Bill Hudson (DORO, Trans-siberian Orchestra, Savatage)

“It is my opinion that of the new guitarists described as “innovators”, Fountainhead (Changeling) is the most deserving of this title.” – Mike Abdow (Fates Warning, Ray Alder, Last Chance To Reason)

“Tom is one of the most expressive guitar players in my dictionary who is also a fantastic composer/producer.” – Vishal J. Singh (Amogh Symphony)

Fountainhead, the musical alter-ego of Berlin-based musician Tom Geldschläger, is a celebrated figure across diverse music landscapes. Known for his expansive involvement in the music industry, Tom has contributed to over a hundred releases in capacities ranging from guitarist to orchestrator, producer to mixing/mastering engineer, and occasionally even as an oud-player. His collaborations span globally recognized artists such as Obscura, Belphegor, Marco Minnemann, Defeated Sanity, Amogh Symphony, Hannes Grossmann, Voodoogods, Christian Münzner, Nader Sadek. Featured in numerous international music magazines, authored several books of non-fiction and musical notation, Tom has also been instrumental in integrating the fretless guitar into extreme metal genres.

Acclaimed as a “modern-day guitar legend,” Tom’s signature playing style and adventurous genre-defying compositions highlight his fearless approach to music. His endorsements include prestigious brands like Aristides Guitars, Elixir Strings, and Bare Knuckle Pickups. Additionally, Tom is a sought-after clinician and speaker, focusing on creativity, music production, and musician’s mental health, as well as being at the forefront of spatial audio and 360-degree audio production.

In a significant development in early 2024, Fountainhead, now branded under the name CHANGELING for his new project and album, signed with the label Season of Mist. This venture marks a new chapter in Tom’s career, amplifying his visionary approach to music. Accompanied by an all-star band featuring members from Fear Factory, Alkaloid, and Virvum, the project CHANGELING showcases a 60-minute concept album that takes all aspects of Tom’s artistry to new heights.

The album, sharing its name with the project, blends progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, enriched with complex orchestrations by a 50-piece ensemble of guest musicians. It includes the eagerly anticipated “Part 2” to his renowned composition “Weltseele,” an orchestral metal epic from Obscura’s billboard-chart-entering “Akroasis” album, which broadly introduced Fountainhead to the metal community in 2016.

Follow Fountainhead & Changeling:
Website: http://www.thefountainhead.de
Facebook: http://facebook.com/tomfountainheadgeldschlaeger
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tomfountainhead
Bandcamp: http://www.thefountainhead.bandcamp.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/fountainheadtv

FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE Unveil Turbulent Video for ‘Morphine Waltz’, New Album Out Now

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Fleshgod Apocalypse. Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Francesco Esposito

Italian Symphonic Death Metal maestros FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE have returned with their massively anticipated album, Opera, out now! Available for stream and purchase now from Nuclear Blast Records, the baroque operatic band’s 6th record is a ferocious collection of intense, volatile tracks directly inspired by frontman Francesco Paoli’s 2021 near fatal mountain climbing accident.

FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE unveils the turbulent video for the opus ‘Morphine Waltz’; a  turbulent glimpse at the band’s raging stage show.

Commenting on the track Paoli says:
“‘Morphine Waltz’, THE visionary song par excellence, has a much deeper meaning, which goes beyond its lysergic atmosphere. It’s actually a true anthem to science, which once again has proved itself to be the only reality that counts. But this track is also a perfect demonstration that our new line-up is on a whole new level, showcasing Veronica’s amazing versatility besides Eugene’s and Fabio’s insane technical skills.
After a few cinematic music videos, we wanted to pay tribute to another essential, if not the most important, dimension for the band: the stage. Delivering intense and truly theatrical live performances allows us to create a direct, unbreakable bond with our fans. And our upcoming North American tour will be our most theatrical ever.
Folks, today is the day! Let’s not waste any more time with words and let the music speak for itself.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the ‘Opera’!
”

Opera is structured like a 10-act theatrical piece, as the title itself, draws a clear thread with the everlasting tradition of Italian classical music theater combining it with the epic brutality of death and symphonic metal, which has become their trademark sound. Mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Arch Enemy), Opera definitely marks another step forward for the band, incorporating new suggestions into that unique blend that FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are renowned for: sheer violence, majestic orchestrations and soaring melodies. Such an ambitious musical endeavor called for an equally impressive artwork, a team effort between two arising Italian talents (artist extraordinaire Felicita Fiorini and visionary photographer Francesco Esposito), following the path traced by baroque painters like Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi. The cover art portrays Veronica as Music, a superior entity that defeats the social and artistic decay of modern age.

With this new record, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are setting the bar even higher than before, pioneering what looks like a completely new sub-genre that might be called “Opera Metal”: an unprecedented mix of extreme music and theatrical elements.

Purchase/Stream Opera: https://fga.bfan.link/opera

SIMONE SIMONS Celebrates New Album Release with Video ‘Cradle To The Grave’ Feat. Alissa White-Gluz

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Simone Simons. Leave a comment

“Vermillion“, the debut solo album from SIMONE SIMONS is out now. To celebrate, she has revealed a brand new video for ‘Cradle To The Grave’ featuring Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy.

Purchase and stream Vermillion now at: https://simonesimons.bfan.link/vermillion

SIMONE SIMONS & ARJEN LUCASSEN comment:
“’Cradle to the Grave’ is about the universal experience of navigating life’s ups and downs and the quest for meaning and purpose. It views the human condition as one of struggle and resilience, where despite efforts to build and achieve, there’s an underlying acceptance that life is brief, finite, and often cruel.”

Watch the video for ‘Cradle To The Grave’:

GORE. Sign with Spinefarm, Share ‘Babylon’ Video

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: GORE.. Leave a comment

SPINEFARM is pleased to announce the signing of GORE. — vocalist Haley Roughton, guitarist Alex Reyes, and bassist Devin Birchfield — to the global roster.

The band will release the A Bud That Never Blooms EP on October 24. Pre-order it here.

The EP was produced by Miserable Productions, with Ben McGuiness and Caleb Freihaut serving as co-producers. The EP was mixed by Cody Stewart.

The band has also shared the video for “Babylon,” its debut single for its new label home.

“‘Babylon’ is about my desire to have a pure, somewhat traditional love,” offers Roughton, laying her emotional cards face up on the table. “The dream of having a strong and loving husband, with children and an unconditionally loving home being the center of my universe (and is what I felt I lacked in my childhood). Through the years, and all of the relationships I have failed to sustain, that dream has yet to come true. This song is the eulogy of that dream. In other words, ‘Babylon’ is the action of putting that dream of being a wife and a mother to rest, for now.”

Regarding the accompanying visual, Roughton shares, “The music video uses religious imagery to depict the dream for a pure, unconditional love that is slowly dying. In the video, the pastor can be seen as everything that causes a relationship to fail — ego, external pressure from others, unhealed inner wounds — even the other person in the relationship. The pastor is seen slowly killing the woman with the dream by holding her underwater, while she is seen crying and begging for the life she wants. From the action of killing her emerges a creature that is completely stripped of hope and innocence. The sludgy, disturbing human-like being can be seen as a symbol of cynicism, resentment and vengeance.”

A BUD THAT NEVER BLOOMS EP TRACK LISTING:
“Pray”
“Doomsday”
“Babylon”
“Angels Like You”
“Heaven Is Above Me”

Gore. will embark on a slate of tour dates supporting Within the Ruins in October. All dates are below.

GORE. ON TOUR:
WITH WITHIN THE RUINS:
10/9 — Lubbock, TX — Jake’s
10/10 — Denver, CO — Roxy Theater
10/11 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street
10/12 — Dallas, TX — RBC
10/13 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Underground

GRAND SLAM Release Cover of Thin Lizzy’s ‘Whiskey In The Jar’

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: GRAND SLAM. Leave a comment
Photo courtesy of https://grandslamrocks.com

The hard rocking British quartet GRAND SLAM unveil their celebration of Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott, with a striking cover of ‘Whiskey In The Jar’, on August 20th – which would have been Phil’s 75th birthday. The single is available to stream/download now and accompanied by an in-studio performance video.

Their shared history is emphatic; Lynott and guitarist Laurence Archer were co-founders of the first phase of Grand Slam back in 1984, with the band having reformed after nearly 32 years in late 2016 with Archer and frontman Mike Dyer leading the way before being joined by Rocky Newton on bass and Benjy Reid on drums.

Today, frontman Dyer reflects on Lynott’s legacy and character. “When fame dwindles, as it does, it leaves a massive void that this so called ‘normal life’ simply can’t fill or at least fill straight away. You have to let reality come back to you. It’s a fine balance of madness and real-life” Dyer begins. “Phil seemed to embrace success. However, what is success? Family, and positive true friends are king, they are our only constant in this crazy journey. They keep us grounded. I believe if Phil had escaped that period of his life, he would be truly thriving now. Phil was deeply immersed in his cultural roots, with the poets, the folkies, the artists and the entire bohemian Dublin scene. He could have been any incarnation he chose to be but I feel his creativity would have developed from being just a frontman.” “He was a gifted man, a keen reader and writer, and I believe that’s the true path he would’ve chosen to go.” Dyer concludes, “I could imagine him walking into the Roundwood Inn in the Wicklow hills for a swift one, before he returned to his estate and writing. His pen was his sword. Phil would’ve been a true asset against knife crime in the UK, also he was never scared to say what he thought. He was a great communicator and cared. People who care in the rock ‘n’ roll industry are rarer than unicorns.”

Recorded at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, the track was mixed by Laurence Archer, engineered by Peter Rietkerk, and the cover art features a stained-glass style painting courtesy of Paul Hallewell. Succeeding heavy metal giants Metallica and using the innate knowledge that Archer had from his creative connection with Lynott as a springboard, Grand Slam have produced one of the most compelling and heartfelt covers of this Thin Lizzy classic heard yet.

Watch/Listen to ‘Whiskey In The Jar here – Video Directed, Produced and Edited by Paul M Green.

Stream/download ‘Whiskey In The Jar’ now here

Grand Slam’s story is one of persistence and craft. Having just announced a series of dates in the fall and with more shows being planned as you read, it is clear that Grand Slam are firing forward into their future at full speed… Don’t miss out!

Upcoming 2024 Shows:
Saturday 5 October – FISMES [FR], British Steel Saturday Night 2024
Thursday 24 October – BARCELONA [ES], WOLF Barcelona
Friday 25 October – MADRID [ES], Shôko Madrid
Saturday 26 October – VITORIA-GASTEIZ [ES], Urban Rock Concept
Sunday 27 October – SANTANDER [ES], Escenario Santander
Monday 28 October – A CORUÑA [ES], Garufa Club
Wednesday 30 October – LISBON [PT], LAV – Lisboa ao Vivo
Thursday 31 October – SEVILLE [ES], Sala Fanatic
*More dates to be announced

For tickets visit: grandslamrocks.com

The band recently released their latest, critically-acclaimed album Wheel Of Fortune. The album is available in a variety of formats and orders can be placed at this location

Watch/Listen to the official singles and videos released from the Wheel Of Fortune album, ‘There Goes My Heart’, ‘Spitfire’ *, ‘Come Together (In Harlem)’ at this location [videos by Paul M Green / *video by Fred Johanson].

Wheel Of Fortune Tracklisting

  1. There Goes My Heart
  2. Starcrossed Lovers
  3. Come Together (In Harlem)
  4. Trail Of Tears
  5. Feeling Is Strong (Jo’s Song)
  6. Spitfire
  7. I Wanna Know!
  8. Pirate Song
  9. Afterlife
  10. Wheel Of Fortune
    Grand Slam:

Laurence Archer – guitar
Mike Dyer – vocals
Rocky Newton – bass
Benjy Reid – drums

Wheel Of Fortune is Produced by Laurence Archer
Engineered by Pieter Rietkerk
Mixed by Laurence Archer
Mastered by Matt Wortham & Andy Pearce
Recorded at Chapel Studios; additional recording at Manamana Studios

Follow Grand Slam: Website – Facebook – Instagram – YouTube – Twitter

RAINBOW SKULL PARTY to Release Twisted New Single ‘ClownFace’ on September 13th

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: RAINBOW SKULL PARTY. Leave a comment

There’s a storm brewing in the antipodes, and it goes by the name of Rainbow Skull Party. This three-piece psychedelic grunge outfit hailing from Australia has been steadily shaking the rafters of the indie music scene since their debut in 2023.  

Comprised of the irrepressible Cuthbert brothers, Lawrie and Paul, and their partner in crime David James, Rainbow Skull Party has made a name for themselves by blending the raw energy of punk rock with the kaleidoscopic swirls of psychedelic soundscapes. Their journey began with the explosive single ‘Keep It Going, Going, Going, Go!’, a debut that pounded through the speakers with a furious mix of driving rhythms, fierce vocals, and a maelstrom of guitar madness that left listeners gasping for air. February 2024 saw the release of their sophomore single ‘Masquerade‘, a track that further solidified their status as one of Australia’s most promising indie bands—a title officially bestowed upon them by Independent Music Reviews. But if Masquerade hinted at the chaos lurking beneath the surface, their forthcoming single ‘ClownFace’, set for release on 13th September, promises to tear the lid off the box entirely. 

Preorder here: https://gyro.to/ClownFace

“The song began organically from a jam. Lawrie found a new setting on his flanger guitar pedal and it inspired the guitar riffs and sounds for the song. Coupled with the powerful beat and rhythm, the song came together very quickly. From the initial carnival-like flanging guitar sound, it was always going to have a clown element to the lyrics. We even called it “Clown” for a long time before it became “ClownFace”. 
That inspiration shaped the lyrics to explore a clown related narrative. There’s lots of different references in the lyrics, and they can be interpreted in different ways. The underlying theme of the song is misconception, told through the perspective of a clown. The band’s name “Rainbow Skull Party” was meant to inspire multidimensional, perhaps even contradictory styles and approaches. For “ClownFace” there’s a fusion of distinct noise elements, juxtaposed with melodic grooves. Dave takes great inspiration from drummers Dave Grohl, John Bonham and Joey Jordison, and their influence is evident in his thumping rhythms on this track. 
We love playing the song live and it always gets a good reaction from the crowd.”

‘ClownFace’ is a sonic blitzkrieg that begins with an explosive intro, crashing into a menacing interlude and setting the tone for the chaos that follows. The verse opens with the bold line, ‘I need my night fix, you’ll love my magic tricks,’ leading into a powerful chorus where heavy rock, indie, and psychedelic styles collide. Rainbow Skull Party showcases their knack for fusing diverse elements into a captivating whole. ‘ClownFace’ is crafted for the stage, with fiery interludes and commanding performances that make it a full-blown spectacle, perfectly capturing the band’s chaotic brilliance and raw energy. 

As they prepare for the release of their debut EP in late 2024 and a double album in 2025, Rainbow Skull Party stands poised to explode out of the underground and onto a much larger stage. With ‘ClownFace‘, they’ve thrown down the gauntlet—a challenge to all who dare to follow in their wake. This is a band that thrives on the edge of mayhem, where the only rule is that there are no rules, and the only certainty is that the party’s just getting started.

“rowdy high-energy vibes will draw the biggest mosh pit you’ve ever seen” Get Some Magazine
“one of Australia’s most promising indie bands” Independent Music Reviews

https://rainbowskullparty.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rainbowskullparty
https://www.facebook.com/rainbowskullparty
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CjQjtJzzDkGM1fgtkvU84
https://www.tiktok.com/@rainbowskullparty
https://www.youtube.com/@rainbowskullparty8673

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