Prepare to be blown away by the raw energy and electrifying performance of IMPACT APPROVED! The band has unleashed a scorching live video of their new anthem, “Ventus Et Ignis,” taken from the band’s new album “Way of the Warrior” (2024, Wormholedeath Records).
Captured live at the “Rockhouse Festival” on June 1st, 2024, this video showcases the raw energy and electrifying performance of Impact Approved. The live debut of “VENTUS ET IGNIS” in Hamburg on March 14th, 2024, was a game-changer, proving to be a perfect anthem for the crowd to go wild. The moment Impact Approved got the crowd moving, they saw an explosion of energy with fans being lifted and crowd surfing. The first three surfers even scored a free CD of “WAY OF THE WARRIOR”!
“Our mission is always to give the crowd an unforgettable experience,” says the band. “The energy we share with our fans is what fuels us. Seeing the smiling faces and feeling the connection is what keeps us going.”
Impact Approved’s live shows are legendary for a reason – walls of death, circle pits, and an endless wave of crowd surfers are guaranteed to make every concert an adrenaline-pumping experience.
Witness the madness for yourself and become part of the Impact Approved legacy!
Born in 2019, Impact Approved quickly carved their niche in the melodic death metal scene. Philipp (vocals) and Uwe (guitars, drums) laid the groundwork, joined by Maurice (bass) in 2020 and Armin (guitar) shortly after. After the critically acclaimed release of “Into the Fray” in 2021, the band toured alongside heavyweights like Heaven Shall Burn in 2022. With the departure of Armin, Matthias “Matze” Büsing steps in to complete the live lineup, ready to unleash the fury of Way of the Warrior on audiences worldwide.
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of “The Crucible”, the debut album from HARPAZO, the super-group formed by guitarist Marc Centanni and producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery, Ayreon). This progressive metal rock opera is a thrilling journey through a dystopian future, merging elements of progressive and power metal with symphonic and Celtic influences.
HARPAZO‘s unique sound is driven by its all-star lineup featuring legendary musicians from the progressive and Christian metal scenes. Alongside Marc Centanni and Gary Wehrkamp, the album includes performances by: DC Cooper (Royal Hunt), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord), Les Carlsen (Bloodgood), Rey Parra (Deny the Fallen, Sacred Warrior), Christian Liljegren (Narnia), Michael Drive Lee (Barren Cross, Worldview), Niklas Kahl (Lord of the Lost, Flaming Row), Lee Lemperle (Outside the Wall), Bruno Sa (Operation Mindcrime), Enzo Donnarumma (Enzo and the Glory Ensemble), and Jennifer Eckhart (Jennifer K Eckhart & Stained Glass Road).
With intricate compositions and thought-provoking lyrics, “The Crucible” invites listeners into a complex world of intrigue and suspense. The album promises a deeply immersive experience that rewards close listening, revealing subtle details and atmospheric layers with each spin.
“What we have here is a big juicy concept album for fans of prog to sink their teeth in deep. An album like this could only be captured in the elements of prog-rock / prog-metal world where there are no limits. Who better to orchestrate this madness than prog-metal legends Gary Wehrkamp of Shadow Gallery, DC Cooper of Royal Hunt, and Mark Zonder of Fates Warning? Gary, Mark, DC, and I have gathered some of the most passionate and finest musicians we’ve worked with to help create what we hope will be a rock opera masterpiece. Each one of the musicians has seamlessly weaved their style into the music and poured their soul into their performances. I am very proud of this album and I truly believe we’ve got something you can’t afford to miss out on!” says Marc Centanni.
For the album’s release day, the band is sharing their latest lyric video for the single “Ichor” featuring DC Cooper (Royal Hunt) on vocals.
“‘Ichor’ stands out to us as one of the best examples of Harpazo’s dynamic music and storytelling. Boasting soaring operatic vocals, DC Cooper (Royal Hunt) shares mic duties with Gary Wehrkamp (Shadow Gallery), while prog-rock legend drummer Mark Zonder (Warlord/Fates Warning) lays down his signature inspiring and creative beats. The song incorporates dramatic dystopian symphonic orchestration and merges it with potent melodic guitars. The chorus features a large and expansive vocal melody that we believe will immediately capture your attention and stay stuck in your head for days. The narrative of “Ichor” commences with a gripping intro of our anti-hero protagonist, Michael Lightborne, being turned into a cybernetically augmented assassin for Solomon Industries. His job is to influence politicians, eliminate world leaders, and help Jude Solomon establish his new world order using the life-changing serum known as “Ichor”. This mood-setting track on “The Crucible” is the first song on our album and we know you’ll be hooked and want to hear more from our metal opera. We are so excited for you to hear it!” adds Marc Centanni.
The album “The Crucible” is now available for digital streaming/download worldwide at https://lnk.to/DQbZKb3s
Track Listing: 1. Ichor 2. Legion Program 3. I Am God 4. Golden Crown 5. The Crucible 6. Two Witnesses 7. Change of Heart Pt. 1 8. Ultimatum 9. We Are Weak 10. Small Price to Pay 11. Change of Heart Pt. 2 12. The Book of Life
Featuring members: DC Cooper – Royal Hunt Gary Wehrkamp – Shadow Gallery / Ayreon Mark Zonder – Fates Warning / Warlord Les Carlsen – Bloodgood Rey Parra – Deny the Fallen / Sacred Warrior Christian Liljegren – Narnia Michael Drive Lee – Barren Cross / Worldview Niklas Kahl – Lord of the Lost / Flaming Row Lee Lemperle – Outside the Wall Bruno Sa – Operation Mindcrime Enzo and the Glory Ensemble band
Full Album Details: Professional Album Artwork/logo by Dusan Markovic Produced and Mixed at New Horizon Studios in Stroudsburg, PA Mastered by Lighthouse Mastering Story/Lyrics Written by Marc Centanni Music and Melodies by Gary Wehrkamp Videos by Wayne Joyner & Dave Letelier
The rock sister-trio from Monterrey, Mexico, The Warning, proudly present their much-anticipated new full-length album, Keep Me Fed [LAVA/Republic Records], out now! Listen HERE. Physical products are available at RepublicRecords.com, featuring CDs, vinyl, t-shirts, and fan packs [CD/t-shirt or vinyl/t-shirt]. Today the band also unveiled their new music video for “Six Feet Deep,” which made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, MTV Biggest Pop and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards.
About the record, the band commented, “This new album is the result of our rawest emotions and most meaningful connections with people we’ve gotten to know and work with these past few years. We’re incredibly proud of this music and we can’t wait for you to make it yours. From our hearts to you, this is Keep Me Fed.”
TRACKLISTING: 1. Six Feet Deep 2. S!CK 3. Apologize 4. Qué Más Quieres 5. MORE 6. Escapism 7. Satisfied 8. Burnout 9. Sharks 10. Hell You Call A Dream 11. Consume 12. Automatic Sun
Keep Me Fed finds the group at the peak of their powers. Over the course of thirteen tracks, the album balances stadium-size hooks with airtight riffing and thunderous rhythms. In talking about the story behind the decision to name the album Keep Me Fed, “throughout the whole process, the work was consuming us,” says Pau. “By impacting everything we did, the album kept us fed both creatively and personally. We’re inviting other people to participate and consume it too.”
Pre-release singles featured “MORE” (performed at the 2023 MTV VMAs [Watch HERE]), “S!CK” which climbed to Top 8 at Active Rock and #8 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart, music videos for “Burnout” & Spanish track “Qué Más Quieres” premered with MTV, as well as “Hell You Call A Dream” and “Automatic Sun” which are already fan favorites to hear live. Revolver applauded, “Like the Mexican sister-trio’s previous output, it’s undeniably infectious,” and Classic Rock hailed it as a “shot-in-the-arm of propulsive, fire-spitting hard rock.” Rolling Stone pegged it as one of “All The Songs You Need To Know This Week.”
The Warning performing S!CK on Jimmy Kimmel Live! – Photo credit: ABC/Randy Holmes
Last week the band ignited the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Stage, making a mark with their late night television debut performance of “S!CK” Earlier this week The Warning performed a special underplay show at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles.
The trio will embark on the ‘Keep Me Fed’ US headline tour this September & October, making stops in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and more, before joining Evanescence and Halestorm on tour in Canada. Check out the full confirmed itinerary below. Fans can purchase tickets here: https://thewarningband.com
Thus far in 2024, The Warning performed at ShipRocked in the Caribbean, Mexico’s prestigious Pa’l Norte & Vive Latino Festivals, sold-out their April EU/UK headline tour, just wrapped their first headlining tour of Japan that included a show with Band-Maid, and will return overseas to EU/UK for summer festivals. Looking ahead to 2025, the band sold-out the 10k capacity Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City in less than 48 hours.
The Warning are as hungry as ever on Keep Me Fed, and they’re about to sink their teeth into 2024. Catch them on tour in the US this fall.
The Warning Tour Dates 2024 July 5 – Main Square Festival – Arras, FR July 7 – Barcelona Rock Festival – Barcelona, ES July 10 – Avril Lavigne (Support) – Nimes, FR July 12 – Zubaran Rock Burgos – FR July 13 – Mad Cool Festival – Madrid, Spain July 16 – Poolbar – Feldkirch, AT July 17 – Jazzhaus – Freiburg, GR July 18 – Bonsai Garden Festival – Bonona, IT July 20 – Maidstone Festival – Maidstone, UK July 21 – Rock City – Nottingham, UK July 24 – Camp & Furnace – Liverpool, UK July 25 – Academy 2 – Dublin, IE July 27 – Steelhouse Festival – Abertillery, UK July 29 – Skaters Palace – Munster, GR July 31 – Wacken Open Air Festival – Wacken, GR Aug 1 – Pol ‘and’ Rock Festival – Pol ‘and’ Rock Festival Aug 3 – Open Air Granichen – Granichen, CH Aug 5 – Melkweg Festival – Amsterdam, NL Aug 6 – Lokerse Festival – Lokeren, BE Aug 30 – Rocklahoma Festival – Pryor, OK Sept 13 – Big Night Live – Boston, MA Sept 14 – Rams Head Live! – Baltimore, MD Sept 16 – Warsaw – New York, NY (SOLD OUT) Sept 17 – Warsaw – New York, NY Sept 18 – The Agora – Cleveland, OH Sept 20 – Riot Festival – Chicago, IL Sept 21 – MMRBQ Radio Show – Camden, NJ Sept 23 – Thunderbird Café and Music Hall – Pittsburgh, PA Sept 24 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI Sept 26 – Louder Than Life Festival – Louisville, KY Sept 27 – Masquerade – Heaven – Atlanta, GA Sept 28 – The Basement East – Nashville, TN (SOLD OUT) Oct 5 – Tecate Supremo Festival – CD Juarez, MX Oct 8 – Glasshouse (Headline) – Pomona, CA Oct 9 – The Bellwether – Los Angeles, CA (SOLD OUT) Oct 11 – Aftershock Festival – Sacramento, CA Oct 13 – KISW Halloween Hullabaloo – Kent, WA Oct 15 – Rogers Arena (supporting Evanescence) – Vancouver, CAN Oct 16 – Prospera Place (supporting Evanescence) – Kelowna, CAN Oct 18 – Saddledome (supporting Evanescence) – Calgary, CAN Oct 20 – Rogers Place (supporting Evanescence) – Edmonton, CAN Oct 22 – Canada Life Centre (supporting Evanescence) – Winnipeg, CAN Oct 25 – Bell Centre (supporting Evanescence) – Montreal, CAN Oct 26 – Centre Videotron (supporting Evanescence) – Quebec, CAN Oct 28 – Canadian Tire Center (supporting Evanescence) – Ottawa, CAN Oct 29 – Budweiser Gardens (supporting Evanescence) – London, CAN Oct 30 – The Opera House – Toronto, ON
Heavy metal masters VEIL OF THE SERPENT make their crushing return, as the band releases their first new music since their breathtaking “Gallery Of Sin II” EP in October 2023!
Inspired by the horrific happenings in Jonestown, “Death Cult” is another intense metal anthem in the band’s discography, that takes listeners down a merciless dark path, back to the traces of the cruel happenings on November 18, 1978 in Guyana.
Singer James about the song: “The Jonestown Massacre was a traumatic event in United States history. Though it occurred around 50 years ago, the underlying factors that led to their demise are still in present in the world today. Power, greed and megalomania fuel cult leaders and their flock to attempt to transcend being human. We tried to write this song as historically accurate and respectful to the victims as possible. Becoming a victim of a cult is not something people do on purpose. It is our duty as family, friends, and neighbors to save as many victims of cults in the future and those who do not realize they are in one today.”
Drummer Felix adds: “We worked for quite a while on this one and we’re proud that “Death Cult” is finally unleashed. Actually it’s the only stand alone release from Veil Of The Serpent for 2024. I don’t want to give away any details to spoil the surprise, but trust me, we have something huge planned for later this year. Stay tuned!”
“Death Cult” is out now on all major streaming platforms. Check it out HERE.
And if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, the band also released a brand new lyric video for the song.
About the band: VEIL OF THE SERPENT is a multi-national heavy metal band that was founded in 2021 by guitarist Gene and his son Felix. The two mooted the idea of working together in 2020. One year later they found a very talented singer in James who completed the band’s line-up.
VEIL OF THE SERPENT is: James – Vocals Gene – Guitars Felix – Drums
Inspired by the scenes from the movie Get Out, Izzy Reign‘s latest release “The Sunken Place” is the first single from her next album due out early 2025.
Energetic and fierce, “The Sunken Place” is a deep dive into personal introspection. In her own words Izzy Reign explains, “Creating this song, for me, it was a way to reflect on a personal quality of mine that I’ve always disliked about myself. The Ability to manipulate situations or opinions of other people. Although knowing this ability personally stems from learned survival mode. It is written from the perspective of those who use this ability for their own advantage. The inspiration heavily derived from the film Get Out.”
“The Sunken Place” stands as a testament to Izzy Reign‘s ability to push the boundaries of genres, featuring a potent blend of synth, drums, guitar, and bass wrapped around an electrifying dichotic vocal performance from the queen herself. Surreal to brutal, hypnotic to raging, Izzy Reign hits both self reflection and deep narrative the single captures the essence of metalcore and alternative metal while weaving in EDM elements for a truly unique sound. “The Sunken Place” is a tantalizing introduction to Izzy Reign‘s upcoming album.
Bold. Eclectic. Rebellious. Izzy Reign thrives on originality and thinking outside the box. Her music is nothing short of a reflection of this. Her father was an avid drummer and she grew up singing to Alanis Morissette, Jewel, and Madonna with her mother. Inspired by Enter Shikari’s music video “Sorry You Are Not A Winner” and the musical stylings of Imogen Heap, Izzy took the plunge into the industry and played her first live show when she was 15 years old.
Since then she’s taken a deeper dive into production, songwriting and performing, working with a variety of artists that come through the production house she shares with producers Jon Eberhard (I Prevail, Skillet, Sleeping With Sirens) and Nick Matzkows (Wind Walkers, Until I Wake, ENMY, Attack! Attack!). Over the past four years she has released a myriad of covers, originals and music videos on her YouTube channel racking up millions of views. She has received notable attention for her popular The Nightmare Before Christmas cover of “This Is Halloween”, which has over 10 million streams across Spotify and YouTube along with 25,000 videos using the sound on TikTok.
In 2023 Izzy came to the attention of the US-based record label FiXT, through the discovery of her independent release, “Broken By Design”, which showcased a new edge to Izzy’s sound. Signing on for a multi-album deal, Izzy Reign is now set to release her debut album with FiXT in 2024.
Portland, Oregon Progressive/Post Rock crew, Another Neighbor Disappeared have today released their new album ‘How To Stay Conscious While Drowning’, featuring recent single ‘Molar’, and new track, ‘Washed’.
Featuring eight atmospheric sonic cuts embedded with a captivating, and at times, ominous aural landscapes, the four-piece present their sophomore LP with new single ‘Washed’, which is also released today in conjunction with the album.
For fans of ‘Explosions in the Sky’, ‘Pelican’, ‘…And So I Watch You From Afar’, and ‘Russian Circles’, ‘How To Stay Conscious…’ sees the band delve deep into the subconscious where they explore a wide scale of emotions through a captivating soundscape.
Speaking of the album the band says; “Each track on our album is born from a distinct feeling at its inception, relying solely on emotion to convey its essence since there are no lyrics to guide the listener. These songs reflect a chapter of our creative journey, capturing moments of inspiration, experimentation, and personal growth. Together, they form a tapestry of sound that speaks to the essence of our musical evolution.”
‘How to Stay Conscious While Drowning’ track-by-track breakdown… 1. Molar The track, ‘Molar’ was inspired by an overwhelming sense of anxiety, specifically associated with the growing void in todays society. The flourishing intensity of the track reflects the increasing stress that society puts on people, driving them to a breaking point or sorts”. 2. Washed An up-tempo piece with a dark undertone, ‘Washed’ draws inspiration from the atmospheric style of Interpol. The main riff and lead lines drive a rhythmic verse that culminates in a powerful chorus, lifting the song with each progression. 3. Not a Dead World Amidst life’s escalating pressures, ‘Not A Dead World’ offers a sanctuary of calm and hope. Structured in distinct sections that build in intensity, it’s a dynamic piece that resonates deeply, particularly in our live performances. 4. Breathe ‘Breathe’ captures the essence of breaking free from the suffocating routine of everyday life. The first half symbolises breaking through barriers, while the latter half evokes a sense of rebirth and renewal, akin to a refreshing breath of air. 5. This is Called Breaking away from our typical style, ‘This Is Called’ embraces a straightforward rock vibe, reflecting our desire to challenge and explore new musical territories. 6. Click ‘Click’ experiments with subtle shifts in time signatures, aiming for a seamless listener experience where changes are felt rather than explicitly noticed. This approach adds a layer of intrigue to the song’s structure, inviting deeper engagement. 7. Math Born during the Covid lockdown, ‘Math’ emerged organically from remote jam sessions in our home studios. Infused with upbeat rhythms and unconventional time signatures, it stands apart musically. 8. Euclid With ‘Euclid’, we delve deeper into unconventional time signatures while ensuring the song remains engaging. Balancing complexity with accessibility, we aimed for a composition that challenges without overwhelming.
Background: Another Neighbor Disappeared is an American four-piece instrumental alternative/experimental band hailing from Portland, Oregon. Known for their dense combinations of different melodies and extended track lengths. Their distinctive sound draws from post-rock, math-rock, and other heavier influences.
Live Performances: When performing live, Another Neighbor Disappeared is noted for their ability to replicate and even expand upon their recorded material. This is achieved through the use of sampling, an extensive array of effect pedals, and loop pedals to build layers of sound. Their live shows are atmospheric, highlighting their entirely instrumental style.
Musical Style and Influences: The band’s sound has evolved towards a more indie/experimental direction, with increased use of effects and cleaner guitars. While they are often compared to bands like Russian Circles and God Is an Astronaut, they cite heavier acts such as, And So I Watch You from Afar, Body Hound, and Pelican as recent influences. Although they employ the standard soft/loud dynamic common to most post-rock bands, Another Neighbor Disappeared prefers tightly structured songs and melodies over the genre’s typical expansive compositions.
Recent Developments: In 2023, the band underwent a lineup change, welcoming back their original drummer and subsequently releasing their third album. This new offering showcases a more robust and driven sound compared to their previous releases. With the introduction of samples and keys, their songs now have a much larger and more dynamic sound.
Another Neighbor Disappeared are: Darryl O’Beirne – Guitar Peter Schauer – Bass Mark Willey – Drums Julian Smith – Guitar
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 ) 