The Metal Voice recently spoke to Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel about the two classic King Diamond albums, Fatal Portrait and Abigail.
Slagel also gave a quick update on the upcoming King Diamond Tour on what fans can expect.
When asked if Slagel can give any King Diamond Spoilers on the upcoming Tour “The hope is that we’ve got something new to release (Music) before the tour but that’s really up to them getting it finished and recorded so that’s the hope. But I will tell you, that obviously he’s known for especially in the last like 10- 15 years for having these elaborate stage shows for both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. And some of the things that he’s attempting to do on this tour just stage of production wise I don’t think anybody’s ever done before.”
He (King Diamond) kind of told me about what they’re doing and how they’re going to do it and all these Concepts and it looks like they’re going to pull it all together to be able to do all this stuff. And for him you know, I think it’s expected now (elaborate stage set up) that you need to see something over the top production wise because he set that bar. After they played that Sweden rock festival, kind of his first comeback after the heart attack and ever since then you know they are constantly raising the bar production wise and this one’s going to be some pretty insane stuff that’s going to go on production wise. So I can’t give you the details but I can tell you it’s going to be more than likely something you’ve probably never seen before.
When asked if there will be any new music “We’re hoping that we’ll get a song or two and yes and then the record will come out uh you know hopefully fairly shortly after that, it just takes time you know it just and art takes time.”
KRILLOAN have released “Return Of The Heralds”, second single and titletrack taken from the new album to be released on September 20th by Scarlet Records.
“Return Of The Heralds” – featuring Evermore‘s Johan Haraldsson & Johan Karlsson – is a tribute to the mighty “The Stormlight Archive” series by Brandon Sanderson. They swore the Oathpact to always return to mankind’s aid in face of the devastation of the Desolations of Odium, to die and live again. To endure torture in hell, until they finally would break, causing another desolation to ravage the world. Or so it was, until one man was betrayed and left to suffer torture alone in hell. He gave mankind four thousand years to rebuild, to live – for he did not break.
ETERNAL CHAMPIONS OF POWER METAL
sophomore record for the 2022 Swedish classic metal revelation;
hammering power-speed metal with a flair for storytelling and big melodic lines to get you pumping;
cover & artwork by Alvaro Valverde/AV Art Ilustracion (Elvenking, Unanimated, Verikalpa);
guest appearances by Johan Haraldsson & Johan Karlsson (Evermore), Jack Reynolds & Tom O’Dell (Battle Born) and Magnus Holmström (Swedish folk master and HammerFall live guest);
for fans of Judas Priest, Blind Guardian, HammerFall, Helloween, Lost Horizon, Evertale;
“Return Of The Heralds” will be released in the following formats: digipack CD, vinyl LP (limited 300 marbled red copies), digital
artwork by Alvaro Valverde/AV Art Ilustracion
“Return Of The Heralds” tracklist: 1 Atlantean Sword 2 Kings Of The Iron Hill (feat. Battle Born’s Jack Reynolds & Tom O´Dell) 3 Blood & Fire (Born On A Battlefield) 4 Hammer Of Wrath 5 Avenging Son 6 The Oathpact 7 Return Of The Heralds (feat. Evermore’s Johan Haraldsson & Johan Karlsson) 8 The Kingkillers Tale (feat. Magnus Holmström, Swedish folk master and HammerFall live guest) 9 We Burn 10 Beyond The Gates
Following the success of the blazing debut album “Emperor Rising”, “Return Of The Heralds” delivers yet more fast melodic tunes living and prospering in the realm of traditional power-speed metal.
The new Krilloan record is once again a heartfelt homage to the “good ol’ times” of classic heavy metal and sword & sorcery entertainment that shaped them. Epic and fierce battle hymns about Conan the Barbarian, Elric of Melniboné, “Warhammer 40.000” and those never-ending days spent in a world beyond our own: this is the conceptual foundation of the Swedish band led by guitarist Klas Holmgren, with a clear focus on a well-crafted and always well-balanced songwriting as well.
One thing is for certain: you will never be bored listening to a Krilloan album!
Krilloan: Alex VanTrue – vocals Klas Holmgren – guitar Steve Brockmann – guitar Marco Toba – bass Christoph Brandes – drums
Just in time for the release of their upcoming EP, Live Leather Hounds, up-and-coming German blackened speed metal unit KNIFE have unleashed a ferocious cover of “Metalized Blood”, originally by blackened thrash metal band Desaster, together with a visualizer video! Accompanied by the vocalists of Desaster and Sacred Steel, this track guarantees the authentic sound of raw extreme metal for any metal maniac!
The band’s electrifying upcoming EP, Live Leather Hounds, drops this Friday, August 23, 2024 via Napalm Records. Recorded during the “Evil Obsession Tour” with the iconic Sodom in 2023, this new offering captures the powerful and captivating live performances of KNIFE and is the successor of the album Heaven Into Dust, which German Rock Hard described as “one of the strongest (black)-speed albums of the year”. Catch KNIFE’s unyielding live spirit during their festival run or on their “Deutschland Into Dust Tour”. Order your tickets here!
KNIFE comment the single “Metalized Blood”: “This rendition of the true metal gem that is ‘Metalized Blood’ is our tribute to one of the most influential and best German extreme metal bands: DESASTER. This track summarizes what extreme music is all about. It is a song for the true maniacs. We are more than proud to have DESASTER’s very own Guido “Sataniac” Wissmann and SACRED STEEL’s Gerrit P. Mutz delivering shredding vocals on our version of this masterpiece! Brothers of Metal, Warriors of Steel!”
Formed in 2019, the band overcame the challenges of the pandemic and cemented their presence in the scene once more with their recent studio album, Heaven Into Dust (2023), which German Rock Hard described as “one of the strongest (black)speed albums of the year”. In the same year, KNIFE also demonstrated their raging live performance at major festival shows like Wacken Open Air and Rock Hard festival, and just impressed with their furious set at Rockharz Festival in 2024.
Recorded at the Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen and the Obertraubling Eventhalle Airport in Regensburg, Live Leather Hounds showcases an energetic and organic mix of KNIFE’s discography. The EP opens with the demonic “White Witch / Black Death”, followed by the swift transitions of dark, throbbing punk chords and dual tracks that sustain the tension on “Inside The Electric Church”, while “Black Leather Hounds” offers rough vocals infused with furious elements of heavy and black metal. Next track, the latest raging album title track, “Heaven Into Dust”, delivers the sharpest speed metal and is topped by the dashing punk attitude of “I Am The Priest”. The EP wraps up with the studio track and cover “Metalized Blood”. Accompanied by the vocalists of Desaster and Sacred Steel, the track guarantees the authentic sound of raw extreme metal.
Live Leather Hounds captures KNIFE‘s raw energy and relentless intensity, promising an electrifying experience for fans of extreme metal. Get ready to be blown away!
KNIFE on the release of their EP Live Leather Hounds: “With the release of the Live Leather Hounds EP, we want to say thank you to all our fans for the support for the past five years. After the pandemic, we played many shows and met so many great people, so we thought that capturing these moments was a fine way to raise the KNIFE to the true Black Leather Hounds. The EP gives you the true raw KNIFE experience, no bullshit.
So, join the pack! The Leather Hounds are still on the prowl! See you on the road. Ferli, Gypsy, Laz, Vince Nihil“
Live Leather Hounds tracklisting: 1. White Witch / Black Death 2. Inside The Electric Church 3. Black Leather Hounds 4. Heaven Into Dust 5. I Am The Priest 6. Metalized Blood feat. Guido “Sataniac” Wissmann, Gerrit P. Mutz
KNIFE live 2024: Festivals: 23.08.24 DE – Wörrstadt / Neuborn Open Air Festival 31.08.24 DE – Rheinfelden / Nordrock Schwaben Festival 06-07.09.24 CH – Hüttikon / Meh Suff! 27-28.09.24 DE – Villingen / Black Forest Fest 05.10.24 DE – Gießen / Muk
Deutschland Into Dust Tour 2024 w/Phantom Corporation 15.10.24 DE – Freiburg im Breisgau / Crash 16.10.24 DE – Cologne / Club Volta 17.10.24 DE – Stuttgart / Der Schwarze Keiler 18.10.24 DE – Essen / Don’t Panic 19.10.24 DE – Hamburg / Bambi Galore 20.10.24 DE – Osnabrück / Bastard Club
Valkyrie’s Fire are a symphonic power metal band from Nashville, Tennessee, born of true emotional passion that ignites our hearts and unlocks the deepest mysteries of the soul. The band just premiered a new music video titled “Warrior of the Night” which is the first single & music video taken from their upcoming EP album Ascension which will be released on November 8, 2024 via Eclipse Records. The album was produced and mixed by Joey Grimaldi, and mastered by Jack Kosto (Firewind, Seven Spires). The music video for “Warrior of the Night” was directed by Austin Dellamano at Weems Creative.
“Warrior of the Night is a special song to each of us because of the meaning behind the lyrics”, says bass guitarist Dave Hale. “This song is dedicated to the fans who tirelessly support musicians every night, and also to the musicians around the world who endlessly pour their heart and soul into the music they create. Just like any true warrior, the musicians fight the ongoing battle to bring exposure to their music, and the fans also fight the battle by showing their support for those musicians.” Vocalist Adam Sanders adds, “The album, and this song, is steeped in Norse mythology, and as such, the lyrics also hint at that, while keeping their relevance to the fans and musicians. Each of us fights a battle in the field of music, and each of us must remain strong and give our all for those things we fight so valiantly for.” Vocalist Bettie Floyd concludes, “Our goal with this debut music video is to reach into the hearts and souls of fans worldwide and deliver to each of them the epic power and symphonic metal that we are so proud to have created. We want to show the world that Valkyrie’s Fire is not only just a new band on the scene, but a force to be admired in the music scene among our peers, fellow musicians, and fans around the world. We truly love the music we create, and we are grateful to be doing what we love!”.
Valkyrie’s Fire are a symphonic power metal band from Nashville Tennessee, and their debut album titled Ascension, is a magnificent and unique blend of soaring vocals, blazing guitar licks, and a signature low-end bass attack in the rhythm section. This band has been hailed as the symphonic metal powerhouse of the American south, and the key word here is “power!” First, the band offers us a dual power vocalist approach, male and female, often in harmony, other times in unison, switching solos and trading octaves so effortlessly that they seem to be a unified, magical being. As for the power-guitar, the verse-tracks have enough chock-n-gravel “chunk” to satisfy the heaviest of head bangers, and the lead solos are simply red hot and blistering. Last but certainly not least, the power-bass and power-drums are just as complex and upbeat as they are lush and heavy and deep, dark and daring. Ascension is not just an EP, but more a bold statement. While many of the lyrics are drawn from Norse Mythology, which is a common trait for the genre, one cannot help but admire the record’s modern relevance, the lyrics that have us “outpacing the light” and suffering the scars cut so deep they lead to confession. Our hearts break when the band takes on the idea of emptiness, reminding us of toxic relationships and those who struggle just to live through the day. We drink and smoke and lie and rationalize, fooling ourselves into thinking there will be little cost, when it is our own “tomorrows” we have stolen from ourselves, and finally, when we fall, we must “rise up once again.” Ascension will be released on November 8, 2024 by Eclipse Records.
Rock singer-songwriter Andre Comeau has officially released his latest single, “Love Like Poison,” to all major streaming platforms. This powerful track is taken from his new album, Portrait, which dropped on August 2, 2024.
“Love Like Poison” showcases Comeau’s signature blend of gritty vocals, emotive lyrics, and dynamic rock instrumentation. The single is already gaining traction on Sirius XM, with fans and critics alike praising it.
From Rocker to Singer Songwriter, to reluctant reality TV star, Andre Comeau has done it all. Born in 70’s-era Detroit, Andre grew up steeped in all genres of music. Possessed with an instinctual sense of melody and dynamics, Andre has music in his blood.
His first band, Reigndance, which also featured Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age, The Dead Weather) helped ignite, but quickly outgrew the burgeoning Detroit music scene of the early 90’s. Shortly after relocating to New York, Andre was chosen to be a cast member of the inaugural season of MTV’s seminal reality show, The Real World. The show was an instant success, and Andre, the show’s “Rocker”, and Reigndance were afforded massive exposure. After three records and extensive touring, the band found themselves at a creative crossroads. They disbanded in 1997.
Says Comeau, “I’m very proud of everything we did in Reigndance. But The Real World, and what it ultimately became, was something I disconnected with. As our world has evolved into a reality based, unscripted place for instant-gratification it’s now easier to stand back and see it’s impact. There were times it felt like a counteractive force, but in hindsight, it was incredible to be a part of something that transformed our culture and my life, both good and bad.”
Comeau relocated to Los Angeles in search of fresh stimuli and new musical landscapes. The 2000s found Andre returning to the folk music of his youth with River Rouge. The band released a handful of well received albums and became a highlight of the Los Angeles club scene, but disbanded in 2016.
In 2019, Comeau triumphantly returned to his hard rock roots with two EPs Wrong Within (2020), & Clean Break (2021), both are straight-no-chaser collections of ballsy Rock songs.
Now in 2024 with a new and more introspective LP, Portrait (2024) Andre Comeau fronts a power trio with veteran musicians Darren Elpant on drums and Gary Wicks on bass, where he manages to successfully marry his folk, rock, and blues influences and infuses them to create something familiar, yet new and unique. Toeing the line between classic and cutting edge, Comeau proves that guitar-rock can still be vital, original, and relevant. Hard, sexy and thought-provoking—Andre Comeau’s music seizes the listener above and below the belt.
In follow-up to 2019’s acclaimed “Age of Capricorn”, ARKONA are proud to present their eighth album, “Stella Pandora”. The record showcases the Polish Black Metal pioneers at their most focused, intense, and melodically vigorous.
Powered by a watertight rhythm-section, the band create sweeping and elegiac arrangements of neo-classical, folk-infused vehemence. Windswept and elemental leads, textural orchestrations and pitch-perfect storytelling from cruel, anguished vocals propel emotive Black Metal of the highest quality.
Tracklist:
Pandora
Altaria
Necropolis
Elysium
Prometeus
Aurora
“Stella Pandora” was recorded, mixed and mastered at Heinrich House Studio in Spring 2024. The cover artwork and layout were crafted by Polish artist Maciej Kamuda (BLUT AUS NORD, ERSHETU).
Founding member, guitarist and composer Khorzon gives insight into the album’s development:
“The songs for this album were created irregularly over the last three years. At first, I was just composing material, and in the end, I chose those six tracks that were closest to the concept I had envisioned. I wanted these tracks to refer musically to the albums “Lunaris” and our debut “Imperium”. After I had recorded those six demo songs, I presented them to the rest of the band and we arranged the material live during several rehearsals. The last song of the album, namely ‘Aurora’, was composed together by guitarist Kaamos and me, by the way.”
As an introduction to “Stella Pandora”, ARKONA unveil a first track, ‘Necropolis’, accompanied by a lyric video created by Lyric Video Factory. Watch the clip here and listen to the song on Bandcamp:
”Necropolis‘ seamlessly merges powerhouse drumming, tremolo riffs and intricately woven melodies to create an epic atmosphere. The track fuses primal ferocity with ancient mysticism, showcasing ARKONA’s deep-rooted Black Metal heritage while crafting a uniquely immersive experience.
Khorzon relays the concept behind ‘Necropolis‘:
“The demo version of this song was created some time ago, so I don’t remember exactly whether it started with a single riff or a specific melody. The lyrics to this song were written by our second guitarist, with a rather clear message: as we build cities for the living and lock their bodies in them, we also build necropolises for the dead, believing that we can lock their souls as well. It is a perverted belief, deceiving people with the picture of an eternal sleep which exists only to enslave their souls. Let us not allow ourselves to be deceived by a false vision. Let us not condemn our bodies to rot in eternal waiting!“
“Stella Pandora” will be released on digital, CD and vinyl – including an exclusive DMP edition – on September 27th. A specially-designed t-shirt will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are possible via our EU, US and Bandcamp shops.
Not to be confused with the Russian folk-metal act of the same name, Poland’s ARKONA has been producing crushing Black Metal hymns since their inception in 1993. Devoid of excess frills and gimmicks, ARKONA present a compelling sound: galloping tremolo harmonies, relentless snare blasts and vitriolic snarls flow into brooding orchestral synths and crescendos of melancholic and melodic splendour.
In 2015, the band joined forces with Debemur Morti Productions, releasing the acclaimed “Lunaris” the following year — a haunted epic of primal and melodic Black Metal. In 2019, ARKONA unleashed most recent album, “Age of Capricorn“, seven anthems of nihilistic fury, strident power, and masterfully integrated cinematic orchestration, punctuated by fierce, white-hot riffs and emotive melodies twisted into corruption.
Still operating with the same fervour that inspired band-leader Khorzon to found ARKONA, the Polish Horde have continued to perform onstage with frightening intensity at club shows and select festivals – such as Under the Black Sun – all the while crafting their magnificent eighth album “Stella Pandora“, set to darken the sun on September 27th, 2024.
Chief Shock Video
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 ) 