NIGHTWISH Celebrate New Album with Music Video for ‘Lanternlight’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 22, 2024
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The time has come, the clock strikes twelve and another era in the wonderful and literally fantastic history of NIGHTWISH has begun: Today, the Finnish Symphonic metal veterans release their new album Yesterwynde, a stunning journey through memory and monumental music. Known for heavy, orchestral, melodic and folk trademarks, the band’s tenth studio album is a dark chest of wonders that, once opened, pulls the listener into a magical world beyond time.

Tuomas Holopainen about the new album:
“Yesterwynde is finally here and ready to open its cabinet of stories, timelessness & hope for you dear listener. We are infinitely grateful that we get to share this ocean and all of its islands with you all.”

Stream the album here or get your physical copy: https://nightwish.bfan.link/yesterwynde

For this release, NIGHTWISH also offers fans the chance to listen to Yesterwynde on Roblox! Roblox is an online immersive platform boasting close to 80M daily active users globally. Nuclear Blast has partnered with four experiences RoBeats (music & rhythm), and RPGs Deepwoken, Dungeon Quest & World Zero, where users will be able to play the game while listening to the album from September 20th to September 22nd . Find out more here: https://nblast.de/nightwish-roblox

Together with the release, NIGHTWISH have dropped a music video for their song ‘Lanternlight’, an intense, quiet, reflective ballad touching themes of loss and mortality.

Tuomas on the video:
“Lanternlight” was the first song written for the album and the natural finale of the Yesterwynde journey. A love song, reaching for the timeless; a music to immortalize the memories of those dearest to us.”

About NIGHTWISH
Working with NUCLEAR BLAST since the release of their highly lauded 2004 album Once, NIGHTWISH have gained international fame and success selling more than ten million records and receiving more than 60 gold and platinum awards, having released six No #1 albums and thirteen No #1 singles. In October 2018, NIGHTWISH was inducted into the Tähtikatu – Walk of Fame Finland, becoming the honorary gallery’s eleventh member. 2020 saw the release of the band’s last studio record, Human. :II: Nature. that crowned the band’s discography with another No #1 success in Finland and Germany as well several other impressive chart entries worldwide. 

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD Releases New Single ‘Never Made It to Memphis’, New Album Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 22, 2024
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Photo credit: Mark Seliger

Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated blues-rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd has just unveiled his latest album, Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2, out now via Mascot/Provogue Records. This release marks the culmination of a creative journey that began with last year’s Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 1, delivering a double-album experience that pushes the boundaries of modern blues-rock while staying true to its roots.

Buy and stream the new album at https://lnk.to/KennyWayneShepherd
 
Highlighting the new album is the infectious single “Never Made It To Memphis” is a driving, soul-infused track that comes with a captivating lyric video. It tells a lighthearted tale of a man on a whirlwind pursuit of love across the States, full of twists and unexpected detours. Shepherd explains, “It’s a pursuit situation that never works out. Every turn the guy takes, nothing pans out exactly the way he thinks it’s going to. But in the end, he winds up with the girl, so everything is OK, regardless of all the wrong turns in the journey.”

Blending his blues-rock roots with an uptempo groove, Shepherd crafts a narrative that resonates with humor and soul. The song captures the spirit of classic rock ‘n’ roll, where every misstep leads to a new adventure. Its lyrics paint a vivid picture of the journey, describing a “hellbent mission” with the protagonist as a “black sheep child raised on rock and roll.” Despite never quite reaching his intended destinations—whether it’s Memphis, Detroit, or Austin—he ultimately finds what he’s been chasing: “I never made it to Memphis, but girl, I made it to you.”
 
Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2 serves as a continuation of the sonic exploration Shepherd embarked upon with Vol. 1, featuring songs written and crafted at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This album is filled with standout tracks like the brooding “Long Way Down” and the introspective “My Guitar Is Crying,” showcasing the diverse moods and textures that define Shepherd’s sound.
 
Speaking about the two-part project, Shepherd notes, “These are two unique albums that stand on their own, but together, they make for such a compelling package. We had creative momentum on our side, so we just wanted to keep it rolling.”

The tracklist of Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 2 roars to life with the purposeful stomp of “I Got A Woman” and continues through a captivating blend of rock, blues, and soul, culminating in tracks like “Pressure” and the vibrant cover of ZZ Top’s “She Loves My Automobile.”

Dirt On My Diamonds Vol 2.
1. I Got A Woman
2. The Middle
3. My Guitar Is Crying
4. Long Way Down
5. Never Made It To Memphis
6. Watch You Go
7. Pressure
8. She Loves My Automobile

Kenny Wayne Shepherd continues his journey across the country with a packed tour schedule, including his participation in the Experience Hendrix Tour. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.kennywayneshepherd.net.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Remaining Tour Dates

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.kennywayneshepherd.net/

Sunday, September 22nd – Experience Hendrix – Reno, NV
Wednesday, September 25th – Experience Hendrix – Santa Rosa, CA
Thursday, September 26th – Experience Hendrix – Saratoga, CA
Friday, September 27th – Experience Hendrix – Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, September 28th – Experience Hendrix – Highland, CA
Sunday, September 29th – Experience Hendrix – Tucson, AZ
Tuesday, October 1st – Experience Hendrix – Anaheim, CA
Thursday, October 3rd – Experience Hendrix – San Diego, CA
Friday, October 4th – Experience Hendrix – Mesa, AZ
Saturday, October 5th – Experience Hendrix – Albuquerque, NM
Sunday, October 6th – Experience Hendrix – Colorado Springs, CO
Wednesday, October 9th – Experience Hendrix – San Antonio, TX
Thursday, October 10th – Experience Hendrix – Houston, TX
Friday, October 11th – Experience Hendrix – Fort Worth, TX
Saturday, October 12th – Experience Hendrix – Tulsa, OK
Sunday, October 13th – Experience Hendrix – Shreveport, LA
Tuesday, October 15th – Experience Hendrix – Nashville, TN
Wednesday, October 16th – Experience Hendrix – Evans, GA
Thursday, October 17th – Experience Hendrix – Clearwater, FL      
Friday, October 18th – Experience Hendrix – Pompano Beach, FL
Saturday, October 19th – Experience Hendrix – St. Augustine, FL

AVRALIZE Release New Single And Video ‘Upside Down’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 22, 2024
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Photo Credit: Leah Wilke

German metalcore quartet Avralize, fronted by vocalist Severin Sailer, along with guitarist Philipp Tenberken, drummer Bastian Gölz, and bassist Valentin Noack, are back with their first new single following the success of their debut album FREAKS. The band, known for their fusion of artistic elegance, heavy deathcore elements, and futuristic soundscapes, have already amassed over 2.5 million streams on Spotify for FREAKS, cementing their status as rising stars in the metal scene.

The new single, titled ‘upside down’, is a powerful continuation of Avralize’s signature style, blending destructive breakdowns with captivating guitar riffs and infectious choruses. The track expands on the otherworldly journey the band initiated with FREAKS, using futuristic sounds and intense grooves that are impossible to resist.

Stream ‘upside down’ here: https://arisingempire.com/upsidedown

FREAKS, recorded, mixed, and mastered by renowned producer Manuel Renner (Our Promise, Senna, and Consvmer), brought Avralize‘s unique sound to the forefront of the heavy music scene. Now, with ‘upside down’, Avralize promise to elevate their artistry even further, turning the world of deathcore on its head once again.

Stream  / purchase FREAKS here: https://arisingempire.com/freaks

“Freaks is a record that’s sure to make people sit up and listen” – Distorted Sound

“they have shown an impressive amount of talent with this debut.” – GBHBL

“Freaks is an impressive debut that proves the talent of all band members.” – FUZE

Having shared the stage with scene heavyweights like Ghostkid, Novelists, Paleface and Of Virtue, the group quickly established a reputation for their energetic live show that turns their crowds into a giant party on a regular basis. Despite their relatively short time as a band since their formation, Avralize have already performed at established festivals like Southside, Hurricane and RockXplosion.

Catch AVRALIZE live on the following dates:
04/10/2024 – headCRASH – DE-Hamburg 
05/10/2024 – BETA – DK-Copenhagen
06/10/2024 – John Dee – NO-Oslo
07/10/2024 – Nalen Klubb – SE-Stockholm 
09/10/2024 – Kuudes Linja – FI-Helsinki
10/10/2024 – Paavli Kultuurivabrik – EE-Tallinn 
11/10/2024 – Melnā Piektdiena – LV-Riga 
13/10/2024 – Hydrozagadka – PL-Warsaw 
15/10/2024 – Dürer Kert – HU-Budapest
16/10/2024 – B72 – AT-Vienna
17/10/2024 – Feierwerk (Kranhalle) – DE-Munich 
18/10/2024 – Legend Club – IT-Millan
19/10/2024 – Klub Komplex – CH-Zurich
20/10/2024 – La Boule Noire – FR-Paris
22/10/2024 – Exchange – GB-Bristol
23/10/2024 – Devil’s Dog – GB-Birmingham 
24/10/2024 – Deaf Institute – GB-Manchester 
25/10/2024 – Key Club – GB-Leeds
26/10/2024 – Downstairs At The Dome – GB-London 
27/10/2024 – Green Door Store – GB-Brighton 
29/10/2024 – Botanique – BE-Brussels
30/10/2024 – Patronaat – NL-Haarlem
31/10/2024 – Cassiopeia – DE-Berlin 
01/11/2024 – Das Bett – DE-Frankfurt

Tickets

Avralize are:
Severin Sailer | Vocals
Philipp Tenberken | Guitar
Valentin Noack | Bass
Bastian Gölz | Drums

Avralize online:
https://www.instagram.com/avralizemusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@avralizemusic
https://www.facebook.com/avralizemusic
https://twitter.com/avralizemusic

GLACIAL TOMB Celebrate New Album Release with Music Video for Title Track ‘Lightless Expanse’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 22, 2024
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Photographer credit: Frank Guerra

GLACIAL TOMB have released their sophomore album, Lightless Expanse, via Prosthetic Records. Accompanying the release, the Denver, CO sludge-corrupted death metal trio has also shared a music video for the title track, directed by Frank Guerra. Lightless Expanse‘s release coincides with GLACIAL TOMB‘s ongoing North American tour dates, with the band set to perform at Piranha Bar in Montreal, QC tonight – full dates and details below.

Stream Lightless Expanse via Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Bandcamp and Spotify.
Order Lightless Expanse here.

Speaking on the title-track, GLACIAL TOMB vocalist / guitarist Ben Hutcherson comments: “The Lightless Expanse is in many ways the counterpart to (previous single) Stygian Abattoir. It is sludgy and suffocating, a meditation on the futility of control and the serenity of nonexistence. I am particularly proud of this guitar solo, as it is the emotional apex of the song as well as the melodic capstone of the album itself. The resolution of the song, wherein we return to the opening motif, parallels the journey in the album’s lyrics. As the stars disappear from the skies above us, will we find peace in the inevitable silence of nothingness,in the knowledge that the otherwise- inescapable curse of suffering has ended? Or is that end an illusion as well? Does it ever truly end?”

Invigorated by new bass player David Small’s presence, the group meticulously crafted Lightless Expanse throughout 2021 and 2022. Founding members Ben Hutcherson and Michael Salazar (drums) embraced the new dynamic and fresh musical perspective Small brought to the band, with Hutcherson and Small’s work together in Khemmis no doubt fueling their creative alchemy.

The resulting album is an unflinching examination of the horrors of existence, captured with authenticity and meticulous attention to detail. The songs were produced and engineered by Hutcherson, with drums recorded at The Band Cave in Denver and everything else tracked at his home studio. In an era of hyper-quantized, soulless extreme music that prioritises perfection above all else, the trio rehearsed relentlessly throughout 2022 before they began tracking in Spring 2023. They enlisted the renowned mixing and mastering skills of Arthur Rizk to realise their collective vision for this record.

The narrative arc that runs through the nine blistering tracks juxtaposes everyday suffering with nigh-ineffable cosmic horror; mental illness, grief, social isolation, and a longing for meaning all take the form of celestial beings and deific machinations. Hutcherson’s lyrics are inspired by writers such as Thomas Ligotti, Philipp Mainländer, Peter Wessel Zapffe, and Alan Watts.

These bleak themes are wrapped up in a bruising package of dissonant death metal intensity, shot through with a flourish of black metal grandiosity. Whilst the aforementioned dedication to arranging things ‘just so’ gives a technical and cerebral edge to their sound, the choruses are laden with soaring melodic hooks, satisfying the most riff-hungry amongst us. GLACIAL TOMB refuses to fit neatly within the parameters of any one genre, and their sound is all the richer for it. Lightless Expanse is a multi-layered exploration of heavy metal in all its complex and cathartic glory.

Lightless Expanse Tracklist:
1. Stygian Abattoir
2. Voidwomb
3. Enshrined in Concrete
4. Abyssal Host
5. Sanctuary
6. Seraphic Mutilation
7. Worldsflesh
8. Wound of Existence
9. The Lightless Expanse

Upcoming GLACIAL TOMB live shows:
September 20 – Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
September 21 – Palladium – Worcester, MA (New England Metal and Hardcore Fest)
September 22 – The Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY
September 23 – Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA
September 24 – Magoo’s – Bedford Park , IL
September 25 – 1867 Bar – Lincoln, NE

December 7 – Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO (Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest)

GLACIAL TOMB is:
Ben Hutcherson – Guitar/Vocals
Mike Salazar – Drums
David Small – Bass

THE HYPOTHESIS Release Video for Second Single ‘Here I Stand’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 22, 2024
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Finnish progressive metal outfit THE HYPOTHESIS is gearing up to release their new album “Evolve” on October 18th via Noble Demon. The band has just unleashed the second single “Here I Stand”, along with an official video that can be viewed below.

“‘Here I Stand’ narrates the story of a ruler who, despite warnings, builds an empire only to see it crumble under the weight of his own greed and selfishness,“ the band reveals. “As his kingdom collapses, he is left to face the consequences of his actions, surrounded by destruction and plagued by an unending torment. In the end, he stands alone, confronting the inevitability of his demise and the perpetual suffering it brings.“

Hailing from the darkened realm of Kouvola, Finland, THE HYPOTHESIS was founded in 2009 as a melodic metal entity driven by the desire to break free from genre constraints and evolve with each musical endeavor. With former members now playing in renowned bands such as Opeth and Stratovarius, THE HYPOTHESIS is a powerhouse quartet with a relentless drive for musical excellence.

Emerging on the scene with their debut album “Origin” in 2016, followed by successful single releases in 2018, THE HYPOTHESIS signed with Noble Demon in 2024, marking a significant milestone in their musical journey. With the album “Evolve” just around the corner, fans of bands like Gojira, Textures, and Tesseract can anticipate a captivating sonic experience that pushes the boundaries of progressive metal.

“Evolve” will be coming out on October 18 via Noble Demon and is available for pre-save at THIS LOCATION 

Tracklist:

  1. Wanderer
  2. Here I Stand
  3. Watch the World Burn with Me
  4. Evolve
  5. Where the Dreams Come to Die
  6. From the Ashes
  7. Dead Cold Silence
  8. Thousand Skies
  9. Stray

THE HYPOTHESIS are:
Juuso Turkki – Vocals, Guitar
Asko Sartanen – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Markku Ruuskanen – Bass, Backing vocals
Otso Tiilama – Drums

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/thehypothesisband/
https://www.facebook.com/TheHypothesisband
https://www.youtube.com/@Hypothesisofficial
https://linktr.ee/nobledemon

German NECRONOMICON Present New Album “Construction Of Evil”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 22, 2024
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Total Metal Records presents new release “Construction Of Evil” by NECRONOMICON.

For the first time on vinyl, the fifth full-length studio album by cult German Thrash Metal band.
Necronomicon was perhaps sometimes known as a ‘poor man’s Destruction’, but they had their moments, most notably 1988’s “Escalation”. There are still comparisons to be made to Destruction, especially as Volker’s vocals still persist in their painful pinch a-la Schmier, but the riffs seem to have come into a life of their own. Much of “Construction Of Evil” has a tight, consistent flow to it, a steady violence, fun tracks like “Stormbringer”, “Paralizer”, “Bone Daddy” and “Hard Pain”, loaded with well-meaning guitars, flighty leads and bitter, biting vocals.

The album adheres very strongly to the original mixture of aggressive vocal shouts and melodic riffing observed on their early albums, but with a much cleaner production and a bit of an awareness of the newer German Power Metal acts that came out of the mid to late 1990s such as Paragon and Iron Savior. This is particularly noticeable in the peculiar sound and character of the lead guitar tracks. Naturally, the mix here is far superior to what they’ve done before, from a technical standpoint. The instruments are very well-balanced, the vocals at the forefront without robbing the guitars of their power.

Tracklist:

Side A
1. Stormbringer 3:41
2. Hard Pain 3:43
3. From Hell 4:06
4. Alight 2:38
5. Hills of Dead 4:32
6. Paralizer 3:18
Running time: 22:04 min.

Side B
1. Terrorist Attack 5:49
2. Fiction 3:47
3. Fireball 3:28
4. Bone Daddy 3:20
5. Insanity 1:24
6. Possessed Again 4:39

Likewise, the band’s mastery of the gang chorus is almost enough to put Anthrax and Overkill to shame. The lead and gang backup interchanges on the chorus sections of “Fiction” and “Paralizer” succeed in being twice as bombastic as what was heard on “Taking Over” or “Among The Living”, while being just a little too aggressive for much of the German Power Metal scene.

Stylistically, the variation in approach from song to song mostly hearkens back to the mid to late 80s approach, mostly being dominated by speed songs with the occasional slower rocker and token half-ballad. “Alight” and “Hills of Dead” have a lot of German pre-Thrash elements and NWOBHM leanings. “Terrorist Attack” definitely carries some heavy Accept influences, as well as a gloomy piano line which is fairly uncharacteristic for a straight Thrash Metal outfit. “Fireball” has this sombre acoustic line to it that meshes with some standard Power chord riffing to form a middle ground between Anthrax and Bad Religion. It’s certainly the catchiest and vocally melodic of what’s on here, but occasionally kicks in the speed to keep it from being a straight power ballad.

To the prospective shopper of faster Metal with a taste for the old school, this is something that can appeal equally to fans of Old-school Thrash Metal, early US Power Metal and early German Speed Metal. The only thing that the latter two groups of fans should consider is that Freddy Fredrich’s gravely vocal style is more akin to the semi-melodic shouts of Kreator and Destruction than the less dirty melodic vocal approach of Rolf Kasperek or Udo Dirkschneider. But for fans of German Thrash Metal, this is far superior to what most of their scene has been offering in the first decade of the current century.

Release Date:

  • September 20, 2024 – Europe/UK
  • Ocober 04, 2024 – USA/Japan
  • Label: Total Metal Records

Order the album here.