The climbing of a mountain covered in opals, gemstones that can display a multitude of colors by their nature, starting from black to light blue.
If the journey begins on a dark and shadowy path, as the altitude gradually increases, the shades get brighter, until we get on the luminous, airy and iridescent peak that donates a majestic view.
Also interpretable as a metaphor about life, about the fact that the first steps are always scary but if we keep going we realize that the result is worth the effort: this is “Opal”, the new VENGHANZA‘s single.
The song, an instrumental prog metal with post-rock elements track, has been composed and played by the actual members of the band, with Pietro Visibelli’s (composer) and Giacomo Pieri’s (executor) participation on keyboards; recording, mixing and mastering by Giovanni Sala at Cantine di Badia studios.
“Opal” is available now on all digital stores and with the official visualizer.
Italian Venghanza project sees the light in 2020 thanks to Gabriele Castiglia and Leonardo Donnini, who had already played together in the past, and David Guercini, replaced by Leonardo Tanzini since September 2022.
The composition of the first prog and post-rock song by the three original members has a modern sound and includes orchestral, oriental and electronic elements.
The first album “Motion”, released in April 2023, relies on the collaboration of many Italian musicians to add classic and ethnic sounds and has been anticipated by the single “Turning eagerness”.
Venghanza‘s line-up:
Gabriele Castiglia (guitar, keyboards, synth): born 1975, he has played in many different bands going from stoner/psych to death metal (e.g. Coram Lethe for a few months). He has obtained the first and second level certificate at the Lizard music school.
Leonardo Donnini (drums, piano, keys): born 1993, he starts taking drums lessons at the age of 5 and piano lessons at the age of 10. He’s been a member of different bands, e.g. Hot Rats and Mustang Mama Blues band as a session musician.
Leonardo Tanzini (bass guitar): born 2000, he starts studying drums as a kid but then he chooses to dedicate himself to bass guitar. He has gained experience in many original projects like SuonaMo.
UK’s Exist Immortal return with an absolute beast of track, ‘Higher Ground’, which features guest vocals from Megan of Vexed. This new standalone single is one of their heaviest songs to date and the male to female lead vocal dichotomy adds a whole new level of depth to the band’s already dynamic sonic landscape.
Exist Immortal state: “We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest single, ‘Higher Ground’ featuring Megan Targett from Vexed. This powerful anthem is our heaviest offering in many years, so it’s been an amazing catharsis creating this track.
“The song, ‘Higher Ground,’ is a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of truth and self-improvement. It delves into the struggles of mental anguish, the search for answers and the determination to rise above adversity. With visceral lyrics and intense musicality, we aim to inspire listeners to elevate themselves and stand strong in the face of chaos.
“This also marks the first time we’ve collaborated with Megan on a track, despite our long-standing friendship and previous work together. Megan‘s contribution adds a unique and dynamic element to the song, amplifying its emotional depth and energy. We couldn’t be more excited to share this collaboration with our fans.”
Targett adds: “It’s crazy to me that I’m only now being featured on an EXIM track. I’ve known these guys a long time and everything they write is so technically impressive, yet still catchy as hell. I’ve loved bringing my style to a song that is so different from what I usually write and I can’t wait for fans to hear the track of the summer.”
Exist Immortal will be performing at this year’s Bloodstock Festival (9th August) on the Sophie Lancaster stage; more dates to be announced soon.
Hailing from the Southeast of England, Exist Immortal combine metalcore and technical metal with pop influences and have spent the last few years touring across the world developing their sound, growing their fanbase and leaving a lasting impact on audiences that witness the powerful live show.
The band have played festivals such as Metaldays (SLOV), Euroblast (GER), Maximum Rock (ROM), Complexity Fest (NL) and have toured with high profile acts such as Sikth, Textures, Landmvrks and Cynic. EXIM have also headlined the main stage at UK Tech Fest (2022), and in 2023 completed sold out tours in Mexico and most recently Japan, ending what has been a whirlwind year of highlights, cementing the band as one of the hottest acts in the progressive metal/metalcore scene.
Exist Immortal are: Meyrick de la Fuente – vocals Kurt Valencia – guitars Mikee Gee – guitars David Billote – bass Charlie Bines – drums
Following the critically acclaimed release of her latest studio album Heavy Soul, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Blues Album chart under Slash’s latest release, celebrated blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor has delighted fans with a special new single, “Wishing Well,” a powerful cover of Free’s hit song, available now on all major streaming platforms.
Written by the Free band members about their close friend Bevan T. Woodhouse, “Wishing Well” quickly climbed the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 7 on January 13, 1973. Featured on the band’s sixth and final studio album, Heartbreaker, it was Free’s final hit single before the group disbanded, with Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke going on to form Bad Company.
“I’ve been a massive Free fan since I was a teenager,” Joanne shares. “It’s a very hard band to cover because it doesn’t really need covering; it was already perfect in the first place. I was a little bit nervous about it because I put Free on a pedestal. But I enjoyed it. I look forward to the challenge of recreating it similar to the original and paying homage to that, but also doing it in my own sort of style.”
The release of “Wishing Well” follows Joanne’s latest album, Heavy Soul, which has been hailed as a landmark in her career, showcasing her evolution from blues roots to incorporating her soulful pop music influence. Critics have praised Heavy Soul for its raw talent and authenticity, solidifying Joanne Shaw Taylor’s place as a dynamic force in the music world.
With a career enriched by acclaim from legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, Taylor’s Heavy Soul offers a fusion of contemporary soul-pop and traditional blues. The album’s latest single, “Drowning In A Sea Of Love,” is a soulful rendition inspired by Eva Cassidy’s version of soul icon Joe Simon’s 1971 R&B hit. Introduced to Taylor by producer Kevin Shirley, it perfectly captures the album’s theme of exploring emotional depths through a blend of blues and soul music.
Heavy Soul is a landmark in Taylor’s career, showcasing her evolution from blues roots to incorporating soulful pop music nuances. The album continues to showcase Taylor’s expressive vocals and guitar prowess with tracks like “Devil In Me” and “A Good Goodbye,” the title track “Heavy Soul,” and includes a soul-stirring version of Joan Armatrading’s “All The Way From America.”
Critics have lauded Taylor for her raw talent and authenticity on Heavy Soul. Glide Magazine described it as her “most complete ‘triple threat’ effort yet,” elevating her status from a guitar slinger to a singer-songwriter. Blues Matters praised the album as “an unforgettable sonic experience, solidifying Joanne’s place as a dynamic force in the music world.” Rock and Blues Muse hailed the album by stating, “With the exciting Heavy Soul, Joanne Shaw Taylor returns to the passionate sound that brought her fame.” Maximum Volume Music praises Joanne, “A rich creative vein that has produced some of her finest work has yielded another high point, 9/10.”
After a successful U.S. Spring tour, Joanne Shaw Taylor is set to embark on “The Heavy Soul” U.S. Tour this fall, promising an electrifying experience with songs from Heavy Soul and fan favourites. For tickets, visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour/.
“Heavy Soul” – Track Listing 1. Sweet ‘Lil Lies 2. All The Way From America 3. Black Magic 4. Drowning In A Sea Of Love 5. A Good Goodbye 6. Heavy Soul 7. Wild Love 8. Someone Like You 9. Devil In Me 10. Change Of Heart
Upcoming Summer 2024 Tour Dates Thursday, July 18 – Salisbury, MA – Blue Ocean Music Hall Friday, July 19 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater* Sunday, July 21 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios Tuesday, July 23 – Lake Placid, NY – Songs at Mirror Lake Friday, August 2 – Mammoth Lakes, CA – Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Saturday, August 10 – Duluth, MN – Bayfront Blues Festival Friday, August 16 – Northampton, MA – The Iron Horse Saturday, August 17 – Thornton, NH – White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Festival Saturday, August 31 – Bremerton, WA – Kitsap Blues Festival Saturday, September 14 – Morristown, NJ – Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
*Opening for Joe Bonamassa
“The Heavy Soul” U.S. Tour Wednesday, October 23 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium Thursday, October 24 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre Friday, October 25 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater Monday, October 28 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater Tuesday, October 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center Thursday, October 31 – Boise, ID – The Egyptian Theatre Friday, November 1 – Spokane, WA – The Bing Saturday, November 2 – Beaverton, OR – Patricia Reser Center For The Arts Monday, November 4 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune Theatre Wednesday, November 6 – Menlo Park, CA – The Guild Theatre Thursday, November 7 – Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre Friday, November 8 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa
Sunday, November 10 – Montclair, CA – The Canyon Montclair Wednesday, November 13 – Cerritos, CA – Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts Thursday, November 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre Sunday, November 17 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre OKC Tuesday, November 19 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater Wednesday, November 20 – San Antonio, TX – Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Friday, November 22 – Arlington, TX – Arlington Music Hall Saturday, November 23 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater Sunday, November 24 – Baton Rouge, LA – Manship Theatre
ALL FOR METAL‘s journey leading to August 23, 2024, the release date of their new album “Gods Of Metal” through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), continues since they have arrived in Asian realms where this year officially is the ‘Year Of The Dragon.’ Reason enough for ALL FOR METAL to pay tribute by adding the very same name to their upcoming sophomore album’s title, and by dedicating one of its singles to 2024. ‘The Way Of The Samurai’ perfectly mirrors the legendary warriors: vocal-wise majestically represented by Antonio Calanna, Tetzel provides a marching character, lending his thunderous growling to this new hymn and making fans feel like witnessing a steel-dominated duel back in time.
Front-warrior Tetzel states, “With ‘The Way Of The Samurai,’ ALL FOR METAL don’t only explore Far Eastern territories, but also celebrate their love for Asian culture while hailing the roots of power metal. Get caught by the song, and let’s slice through the night like a katana!”
“Our fastest and most power metal-ish song is here! We’re following ‘The Way Of The Samurai,’ may our swords shine in the dark eternally!” adds Calanna.
Offering a wide range of editions [ltd. statue box set, signed CD-digipaks, t-shirts & many more], “Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)” can be pre-ordered both physically and digitally, and also pre-saved on your favourite digital service provider (DSP) now, here: https://allformetal.rpm.link/godsofmetalPR
The album launch will be accompanied by a series of special happening all over Germany: besides performing at select summer festivals, ALL FOR METAL will set sail by hosting their highly-demanded own cruise release shows in Hamburg on August 23 & 24. For Thursday, August 29, the group are preparing a special set which will be brought to the beergarden stage of Braustüble Hamberg (near Pforzheim) to honour the “Gods Of Metal” with an intimate gathering. Tickets are limited, so better secure yours right away: https://allformetal.rpm.link/hambergPR
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated and listen to ‘The Way Of The Samurai’ along with other new tracks in the “RPM New Releases” playlist on Spotify. Subscribe here: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR.
ALL FOR METAL live:
07.08.2024 ES Villena – Leyendas del Rock 16.08.2024 CH Cudrefin (VD) – Rock The Lakes 17.08.2024 CZ Moravský Krumlov – Rock Castle 22.08.2024 DE Haddeby – Baltic Open Air 23.08.2024 DE Hamburg – All For Metal Cruise (w/ MOB RULES) *SOLD OUT* 24.08.2024 DE Hamburg – All For Metal Cruise (w/ MOB RULES) *LOW TICKETS* 29.08.2024 DE Hamberg – Braustüble *NEW* 04. – 05.10.2024 DE Geiselwind – Monster Festival 14. – 21.10.2024 ES Mallorca – Full Metal Holiday *SOLD OUT* 28. – 29.12.2024 DE Runkel – No Sleep After X-mas Festival
ALL FOR METAL are: Tetzel | vocals Antonio Calanna | vocals Jasmin Pabst | guitars Ursula Zanichelli | guitars Florian Toma | bass Leif Jensen | drums Christina Schulz | showgirl Luisa Lohöfer | showgirl
Soaring higher than ever, buzzing Los Angeles band The Scarlet Opera takes flight on their anticipated newMirror, Mirror EPout today via SB Projects / Republic Records—listenHERE.
Mirror, Mirror celebrates the band’s dramatic vocals, magnetic melodies, and stadium-ready swagger. Among many highlights, new track “What Good Is Love” threads fret-burning guitar through otherworldly synths. Frontman Luka Bazulka’s jaw-dropping delivery resounds as he wonders, “What good is love?” Then, there’s new single “Slutty.” Over a bed of guitar and keys, the verses barely contain the track’s flirty fire, as Luka belts,“You make me so slutty.” Cinematic piano sets the tone for “God Damned Beautiful.” It trumpets an essential personal mantra, “The facts are the facts that I’m god damn beautiful.” See the full EP tracklisting below.
On the release of the EP, the band shares: “For better or for worse, this music ended up being a reflection of our trials and tribulations being a band the past few years—the complexities of falling sucker to industry hype men paralleled eerily well to the simultaneous love affairs happening behind the scenes. Mirror, Mirror will always be a poignant reminder for us to keep our circle tight, the romance in the ride and our joy protected, at all costs. More music, sooner.”
TheScarlet Opera recentlyteased Mirror, Mirror with their single “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em.” On “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em,” epic guitars resound, cinematic strings soar, and Bazulka emanates the kind of starpower and charisma that comes along once in a generation. The catchy chorus proves instantly chantable as he sets the scene, “I met a bird last night she was drunk at a bar, she said let me introduce you to my friend he’s a star.”Met with critical acclaim, Melodic Magazine hailed, “The single is articulate and theatrical with a splash of rock – a perfect way to welcome summer and an exciting and lively addition to the bands’ setlist.”
It followed the fiery “Catch Me If You Can,” which beyond picking up steam at DSPs, has earned widespread praise. Popdust dubbed it a“captivating, high energy track that kicks off their new era with a bang,”andThe Honey Popproclaimed, “It’s your dose of rock-and-roll combined with a mixture of badass lyricism, an intoxicating chorus, and a whole lot of infectious melodies.”
Not to mention, they recently wrapped their headliningCatch Me If You Can Tour. Speaking to their standout live performance, RIFF Magazine applauded,“A little bit Queen and a little bit Journey, the band had a cinematic sound with the flair of a Broadway show.”Pit Crew Media noted, “Between their iconic look, over-the-top stage-presence, and quality sound, The Scarlet Opera put on an incredible performance that left fans wanting more,” while The Concert Chronicles praised their live show as “a performance that was nothing short of electrifying.”
Last year, the band released their empowering single “That Kind Of Woman” and beloved debutComedyEP, which features breakout songs “The Place To Be,” “Big City Thing,” “Alive,” and “Riot.” Amassing millions of streams to date, Comedy landed acclaim courtesy of Rolling Stone, Flaunt, LADYGUNN, Jezebel, Just Jared, Queerty, and more, with HITS Daily Doubleproclaiming, “The Scarlet Opera blends classic arena pomp rock, neon-bright ’80s pop and more than a dash of Broadway-style virtuosity into an infectious, gender-blending cocktail that its burgeoning fan base finds utterly intoxicating.” Not to mention, the band received a nomination for “Breakthrough Music Artist” at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards.
MIRROR, MIRROR EP TRACKLIST: “Catch Me If You Can” “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em” “Slutty” “What Good Is Love” “God Damned Beautiful”
ABOUT THE SCARLET OPERA: Fusing the grandeur of the theatre with the raw energy of rock and roll, The Scarlet Opera – a five piece band hailing from Los Angeles – offers an escape into the throes of love, lust, glamour, and passion. Formed as ‘Perta’ in 2016 and reborn in 2022, The Scarlet Opera is led by lyricist and frontman Luka Bazulka, whose authentic narrative and vocal prowess are matched only by the musical talents of band members Colin Kenrick [keyboard], Daniel Zuker [bass], Justin Siegal [drums], and Chance Taylor [guitar]. The band’s origins are tied to one fateful night when Colin, upon witnessing Luka perform an inspiring solo vocal set, enlisted longtime friends and seasoned musicians Daniel, Chance, and Justin to provide a new dimension to what was already brimming with potential. Word of packed venues and a captivating live show soon drew the attention of SB Projects and Republic Records, who turned to hit songwriter and producer David Stewart [BTS, Jonas Brothers] to collaborate, inspire, and further ignite an already growing fire. During 2023, the group took flight with their debut Comedy EP uplifted to soaring heights by breakout singles “Alive” and “Riot.” In its wake, they made their late-night television debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden and launched a successful tour earmarked by one sold out gig after another, with Jezebel hailing their live show as “a spectacle of Queen-inspired proportions.” Along the way, they incited further critical praise from Rolling Stone, Flaunt, HITS Daily Double, Popdust, LADYGUNN, and The Honey Pop, who applauded them as “one of our favorite bands.” After receiving a nomination for “Breakthrough Music Artist” at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards and headlining a tour across the country this past spring, The Scarlet Opera now level up again with the dramatic and dynamic Mirror, Mirror EP, including the singles “Catch Me If You Can” and “Someone’s Gotta Love ‘Em.”
Seattle technical death metal futurists XOTH are pleased to announce the highly anticipated release in vinyl format of their third full-length album, “Exogalactic”. The CD and digital editions were released in November 2023, while the new LPs are now available via the band’s Bandcamp and at Dawnbreed Records HERE.
Available variants:
Deluxe Trifold Edition featuring die-cut moons:
200 – Blood Eclipse Red 200 – Eternal Twilight Blue 200 – Quantum Ice White 100 – Ethereal Frost 100 – Black
Regular Edition:
100 – Blood Eclipse Red 100 – Eternal Twilight Blue 100 – Quantum Ice White 100 – Ethereal Frost 100 – Black
All variants of both editions include a BIG poster featuring the cover artwork.
Since bursting forth from the cosmic ether in 2014, Seattle’s XOTH has evoked fan and critical acclaim for their innovative approach to extreme metal. 2019’s “Interdimensional Invocations” has become a cult classic, blending technical death metal, modern black metal, and thrash in a novel synthesis that eludes categorization.
In partnership with Dawnbreed Records, their third triumph “Exogalactic” is an ambitious leap forward. It’s as if they’ve excavated musical relics from Earth’s core and melded them with sounds from the far reaches of the universe. Each song is an event horizon, stirring subgenres into a timewarp of past and future sonic chaos.
Amidst the vortex of sound, the mixing sorcery of Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studio (Obituary, Suffocation) collides with the enigmatic mastering finesse of Jason Williams at RiffsThatRule to manifest an auditory odyssey. The artwork by Shindy Reehal at Shindy Design sets the tone for the voyage. XOTH is not just music; it’s a journey across the celestial landscape led by interstellar luminaries.
“Through four years of trials and tribulations, we are thrilled to finally unleash an album that has demanded immense dedication, fortitude, and sacrifice from us. The results of our experiment have surpassed our wildest imagination! Prepare yourselves!”.
Tracklist:
1. Reptilian Bloodsport 2. Manuscripts of Madness 3. Sporecraft Zero 4. The Parasitic Orchestra 5. Saga of the Blade 6. Reflective Nemesis 7. Battlesphere 8. Map to the Stars, Monument to the Ancients
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
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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