Finnish metal band AUTUMN’S GRIEF released the second single ‘The Absolution’ from their upcoming third album ‘Dead Among The Living’ which is set to be released on October 25th 2024 by Inverse Records.
The band comments: “The Absolution is a song about the inner battles of a human being and confessing one’s pain and sins to a good friend. “While we were choosing the single songs from the third album, The Absolution was one of the favourite songs on everyone’s list. It has a special atmosphere starting right from the first notes.” Tells the bands vocalist Noora Virtanen
Composed & Written by Autumn’s Grief Single cover painting by Kris Olson (krisolsonart.com). Edited by Mikko Virtanen
Dead Among The Living (album 2024) Track list:
The Absolution
Dead Among The Living
Perfectly Flawed
Pushing Up The Daisies
The Inquisition
Aberration of Light
The Skyclad Spell
A Light In a Void
The Failure
Alone
Composed & Written by Autumn’s Grief
Album cover painting by Kris Olson (krisolsonart.com). Edited by Mikko Virtanen
Autumn’s Grief takes the listener on a journey through the sorrowful and cinematic metal music landscape filled with beautiful piano melodies, dark and heavy guitars, robust bass and mournful vocals. Founded in 2021 and originated from Finland, Autumn’s Grief has released two full albums, The Dead Don’t Smile (2021) and Dead By The Dawn (2022). The third album, Dead Among The Living will be the ending album of the band’s Dead-trilogy. The band consists of guitarist Santtu Rosén (Dead End Finland), keyboardist Ville Skön (Willie Dangerr, Synthwave Willie) and vocalist Noora Virtanen (Tulio)
Line-up: Vocals – Noora Virtanen Guitar & Bass – Santtu Rosén Keyboards – Ville Skön Jarno Petterinen – Session drums
VESTIGE are fresh on the scene, but the French band are made of raw emotions. Formed amidst a tumultuous period in the life of vocalist and guitarist Théodore Rondeau, the band weave intense layers of feeling into evocative, atmospheric post-metal on their debut album. “Corrosion”, the second single off Janis, is an anthem for those who have lost their way but still have faith that they will find themselves again.
“Corrosion” opens with a somber guitar riff. The drums come in, adding an extra layer of depth and emotion. The lyrics speak of hope in the face of despair, how love has the power to heal our wounds. Théodore’s vocals are soft and haunting, only to harden as the band switches into a more aggressive style.
Each song on Janis narrates a step in Theodore’s journey through depression, from pain to redemption. By embracing modern metal, Vestige dissolve those fears and transform them into catharsis and beauty.
The video for “Corrosion” was directed by Mathieu Ezan, who’s also worked with Cult of Luna and Hans Zimmer.
Cover art by Kilian d’Angelo & Justine Dorin
Tracklist1. Différent (2:47) 2. Deviens la Nuit (5:29) [WATCH] 3. Démence de l’Âme (6:25) 4. Océan (5:27) 5. Automne Part 1 (5:50) 6. Automne Part 2 feat Neige (Alcest) (4:54) 7. Appel de l’Âme (4:15) 8. Corrosion (5:16) [WATCH] 9. Stigmates du Temps (4:34) 10. Envol de l’Âme (5:40) 11. Avant la Fin(7:15) Total runtime:57:53
Théodore Rondeau, the creative initiator behind VESTIGE, embarked on a journey of forming the band during a turbulent phase in his life. Emerged as a creative vessel for a complicated emotional journey, the band transcends the boundaries of individual therapy into a collaborative force that hopefully resonates with the feelings that may be all too common for the human experience.
With a profound connection to their craft, VESTIGE pour their souls into their debut album, infusing it with a captivating blend of melancholy, desperation, and catharsis. The music serves not only as an expression of their turmoil, but as a conduit for listeners to navigate the complexities of their own emotions. Through this process, VESTIGE becomes a project with the potential to connect with people on a profound level, forging a collective experience through the universal language of music.
The formation of VESTIGE’s lineup reads like a musical destiny unfolding: Pierre-André Krauzer on the bass, Quentin Regnault on drums, and Théodore on vocals and guitar. They first crossed paths during their tenure in Naraka, a band that shared stages with icons like Cradle of Filth and Alcest. This initial connection laid the groundwork for the formation of the band. Not long after, the addition of Thomas Petit on the second guitar solidified the lineup, bringing a sense of completeness to the ensemble. The band’s sonic identity now established; VESTIGE was ready to share this experience with the world.
The signing with Season of Mist brings the band’s first milestone, allowing VESTIGE to share their journey in the form of their debut album, Janis. Poised for release in late 2024, the album is a culmination of their collective efforts and a statement of the band’s arrival in the heavy music scene. Weaving through atmospheric shoegaze textures, melodic landscapes and intense, tormented moments that reflects the emotional spectrum of the human experience, the band established a foothold into the genre of modern metal.
Beyond the studio, VESTIGE is gearing up for a series of live performance in 2024, setting the stage for an introspective musical experience that brings raw and authentic energy. A cathartic release that pulls in the listener into the emotional depths the band has to bring.
Line-up Théodore Rondeau – Vocals, Guitar Pierre-André Krauzer – Bass Quentin Regnault – Drums Thomas Petit – Guitar
Recording Studio Théodore’s Home Studio, Quentin’s Home Studio (For Drums), Pierre-André Krauzer’s Home Studio (For Bass)
Production Credits Mixed by Geoffrey Bonnifet at his Home Studio Mastered by Acle Khaney at 4D Sounds, Oxfordshire, UK
USA extreme metal powerhouse, Escuela Grind, will release their new LP, Dreams on Algorithms, on 18th October via MNRK Heavy (High on Fire, Zakk Wylde, etc).
Recorded at Salem, Massachusetts’ GodCity studio with producer Kurt Ballou, and mastered by Nick Townsend (Dr. Dre, Betty Davis) the record is the highly anticipated follow-up to Escuela Grind‘s celebrated 2022 full-length debut, Memory Theater, a recording hailed as “an opus of extremity” by The New York Times.
In sync with the album announcement, Escuela Grind today have dropped their new single + video, ‘Turbulence’, which showcases clean vocals over an earworm chorus – a first for the group– without pulling away from unhinged brutality.
Stream the video, directed by Zack Perez for Astral Media, here:
“It will be immediately obvious when you first hear this song that it is a departure for us,” offers vocalist Katerina Economou. “We wanted to take a risk with ‘Turbulence’, and after performing so many live shows over the last year we were ready to compile all that influence. The clean singing may take some people off-guard coming from a grind/hardcore band, but after touring with Napalm Death, we realized we wanted to incorporate that aspect into our music in a similar way. We definitely wanted a grungy, catchy chorus to sing at all of our upcoming festival appearances, and I hope the fans like the song as much as we do.”
The album announcement was preceded by the release of the single ‘Always Watching You’, track two on Dreams on Algorithms. Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/G2G3WRNG4B4
“Most of ‘Always Watching You’ was written in a practice space by Jesse and Krissy, and refined during soundchecks we had over the year,” details Economou. “I’ve had this desire to write a song where I could portray the obsessive-stalker-girl archetype through lyrics for a while. Although not physically threatening, it’s really interesting that society is so terrified of this stereotype. In ‘Always Watching You’, I wanted this fantastical, Nightmare on Elm Street-style imagery that was rooted in the gore and horror of death metal. Themes of parasocial relationships, anxieties from social media, and an omnipresent algorithm are strongly observed in this song and throughout the entire album.”
Dreams on Algorithms track listing:
1.) DOA 2.) Always Watching You (stream VIDEO) 3.) Constant Passenger 4.) Moral Injury 5.) Concept of God 6.) Animus Multiform 7.) Scorpion 8.) Planned Obsolescence 9.) Toothless 10.) Turbulence (stream VIDEO)
Escuela Grind are currently on tour throughout Europe. A list of confirmed shows can be found below:
10.07.2024 Karlsruhe, Germany – Alte Hackerei 11.07.2024 Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany – Dong Open Air 12.07.2024 Torgau, Germany – IN FLAMMEN Open Air 13.07.2024 Velenje, Slovenia – Vratolom Open Air 14.07.2024 Košice, Slovakia – Collosseum club 15.07.2024 Bratislava, Slovakia – PINK WHALE 16.07.2024 Wien, Austria – Escape Metalcorner 17.07.2024 Graz, Austria – Graz Musichouse 18.07.2024 Turin, Italy – Blah Blah 19.07.2024 Roma, Italy – Traffic Club 20.07.2024 Bologna, Italy – Freakout Club 21.07.2024 Innsbruck, Austria – Livestage 22.07.2024 Salzburg, Austria – Rockhouse Bar Salzburg 25.07.2024 Kassel, Germany – Goldgrube 26.07.2024 Meppel, Netherlands – Clouso 28.07.2024 Utrecht, Netherlands – DB’s 30.07.2024 Lindau, Germany – Club Vaudeville Germany 02.08.2024 Berlin, Germany- TBA 03.08.2024 Gränichen, Switzerland – Open Air Gränichen Switzerland 04.08.2024 St Maurice de Gourdans, France – Sylak Open Air France 05.08.2024 Köln, Germany Essigfabrik with Hatebreed + Cancer Bats 06.08.2024 München, Germany Backstage Kulturzentrum with Hatebreed 08.08.2024 Jaroměř, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault Festival 10.08.2024 Vinelz, Switzerland – Openair am Bielersee 14.08.2024 Hannover, Germany – Béi Chéz Heinz 16.08.2024 Dinkelsbühl, Germany- Summer Breeze Open Air
Louisville, KY’s VOLCANDRA has released a vocal playthrough for Fouled Sanctity, taken from the blackened melodic death metal bands sophomore album, The Way of Ancients, released this year via Prosthetic Records. The video is a one-take in-studio performance from frontman Dave Palenske, and follows their spring Northeastern Nomads US tour dates.
Speaking on the video, Palenske comments: “Even after performing Fouled Sanctity more times than I can count, it still remains one of the most challenging songs on vocals in VOLCANDRA’s catalog. I hope our fans will enjoy this one-take performance.”
Following the release of their well-received Border World EP in 2022, VOLCANDRA breathed life into their continually evolving universe of myths and extreme metal fantasy epics across stages in North America. Amassing tours alongside labelmates Tómarúm, multiple solo headline runs, and a support stint with The Convalescence, VOLCANDRA’s dynamic as a unit in 2024 is one of unwavering confidence and lofty ambition.
Galvanized by their growing rapport and momentum from the road, The Way of Ancients’ writing process came quickly and naturally to the band in the winter of 2022. Vocalist and lyricist Dave Palenske’s affinity for concept albums led to The Way of Ancients’ creative decision to implement an overarching story, with particular influence from the classic early Diablo video game series as well as the escapism found in sword and sorcery eighties films such as Conan, Clash of the Titans and Excalibur.
Commencing production in January 2023 with Mike Low (Cattle Decapitation, Khemmis, INFERI) at the helm for tracking, mixing and mastering, VOLCANDRA also enlisted Entheos’ Chaney Crabb and Navene Koperweis for drum recording. Further contributions also see choral singing throughout the release from Oubliette’s Emily Low. Whilst The Way of Ancients retains VOLCANDRA’s inclination for melodicism, both in songwriting and production value, guitarists River Jordan and Jamie DeMar’s synergy and growing desire for a more bellicose approach to the blackened aspects of their sound is evident throughout the near 40 minute runtime.
Intent to keep aesthetic continuity of their established narrative thread, longtime collaborator Varises Otak (Cryptopsy and Amon Amath) masterfully brings The Way Of Ancients’ visual identity to life with the cover art.
The Way of Ancients tracklist: 1. Birth of the Nephalem 2. Fouled Sanctity 3. Nemesis Confession 4. Maiden of Anguish 5. Seven Tombs 6. The Blackened Temple 7. Not Even Death 8. The Way of Ancients
VOLCANDRA is: Dave Palenske – Vocals River Jordan – Guitar Jamie DeMar – Guitar Andrew Casciato – Bass Mike Hargrave – Drums
Vision Divine will release the new album “Blood And Angels’ Tears” on the 20th of September through Scarlet Records.
The finest Italian prog-power metal prime movers are back for good, once again delivering a handful of glorious and smooth progressive power metal. An epic saga unfolding across two monumental records, with “Blood And Angels’ Tears” as its first part: set in a distant epoch before known civilizations, the narrative revolves around three angels banished from heaven for their indecision during the cataclysmic war between Lucifer and Archangel Michael.
Each album is a chapter in a grand movie-like tale: themes of redemption, unity and resilience permeate the melodic orchestrations and haunting vocals. Experience the cinematic majesty of “Blood And Angels’ Tears” where each note and lyric merges to evoke a timeless struggle and a heroic journey through the realms of ancient myth and fantastical imagination!
artwork by Augusto Silva
“Blood And Angels’ Tears” will be released in the following formats:
digipack CD
vinyl LP: 350 marbled red (retail exclusive), 150 marbled blue (mailorder exclusive)
digital
“Blood And Angels’ Tears” tracklist:
Chapter I: War In Heaven Chapter II: The Ballet Of Blood And Angels’ Tears Chapter III: Once Invincible Chapter IV: Drink Our Blood (featuring Bulldozer’s AC Wild) Chapter V: When Darkness Comes Chapter VI: Preys Chapter VII: A Man On A Mission Chapter VIII: Go East Chapter IX: The Broken Past (featuring Fates Warning’s Ray Alder & Twilight Force/Trick Or Treat’s Alle Conti) Chapter X: Dice And Dancers Chapter XI: Lost
Vision Divine: Ivan Giannini – vocals Olaf Thorsen – guitars Federico Puleri – guitars Alessio Lucatti – keyboards, piano Andrea ‘Tower’ Torricini – bass Matt Peruzzi – drums
Born from the frost-bitten landscapes of Norway, 1349 are returning to claim the throne of black metal supremacy. Their upcoming eighth album, The Wolf and The King, is proof of their unwavering dedication to the genre’s darkest depths. Lead single “Shadow Point” captures the raw, unfiltered sound that has defined the band’s legacy.
Watch the hellish music video for “Shadow Point” on Season of Mist’s YouTube channel.
The Wolf and The King is a monument of black metal mastery. 1349’s new album album is an eight-track odyssey recorded at Amper Tone in Oslo and New Constellation R.M.P. in Orlando, produced and mixed by the relentless duo Ravn and Jarrett Pritchard. These eight songs do more than just push boundaries; they shatter them, exploring themes of transformation through destruction, liberation and mind expansion.
Each song on The Wolf and The King is a portal into realms where shadows reign and chaos is the only order. “Shadow Point” enhances 1349’s ferocity with unrelenting grooves and complex headbanging riffs that echo the haunting chills of the abyss. From the menacing “The God Devourer” to the cataclysmic “Fatalist”, the band imbues the album with apocalyptic elegance. The previously released “Ash of Ages” merges thrash influences with black metal intensity, while “Inferior Pathways” forms an indomitable backbone of unforgiving riffs and demonic rhythms.
“Shadow Point” is just the beginning of The Wolf and the King’s aural assault. Kneel into the void and bow to the relentless fury of 1349’s blackened artistry.
Tracklist 1. The God Devourer (5:10) 2. Ash of Ages (5:27) [LISTEN] 3. Shadow Point (3:40) [WATCH] 4. Inferior Pathways (4:28) 5. Inner Portal (5:08) 6. The Vessel and The Storm (5:15) 7. Obscura (3:44) 8. Fatalist (5:51) Total runtime: 39:01
In a union that promises to reshape the contours of black metal, 1349are joining forces with the revered Kampfar for a highly anticipated 2024 European co-headlining tour. Prepare for a ceremonial gathering of black metal’s most fervent apostles, ready to spread the gospel of Aural Hellfire and pagan might.
1349 & Kampfar 2024 EU Tour: October 1: Leipzig, DE @ Anker October 2: Berlin, DE @ SO36 October 3: Aarhus, DK @ Voxhall October 4: Gothenburg, SE @ Filmstudion October 5: Stockholm, SE @ Kolletkivet Livet October 7: Helsinki, FI @ Aaniwalli October 8: Tallinn, EE @ Helitehas October 9: Riga, LV @ Melna Piektdiena October 10: Warsaw, PL @ Proxima October 11: Kraków, PL @ Kamienna 12 October 12: Vienna, AT @ Vienna Metal Meeting October 13: Budapest, HU @ Barba Negra October 15: Prague, CZ @ Futurum October 16: Munich, DE @ Backstage October 17: Milano, IT @ Slaughter Club October 18: Colmar, FR @ Le Grillen October 19: Aarburg, CH @ Musigburg October 20: Oignies, FR @ Tyrant Fest October 22: Weiher, DE @ Live Music Hall October 23: Paris, FR @ Le Petit Bain October 24: Bochum, DE @ Zeche October 25: Amstelveen, NL @ P60 October 26: Maastricht, NL @ Samhain Festival
1349 is not like other bands. It’s not a group of friends who decided to make music together. 1349 is a band formed with a unified vision and specific purpose: To maintain the legacy of black metal.
“I didn’t like the direction that black metal took in the mid part of the ’90s,” 1349 vocalist and mastermind Ravn recalls. “It started losing everything that I liked about black metal—the grimness, the eeriness, the primal emotions that captivated me and brought me into that sphere. You had all these synthesizer-based bands dressing up in pirate shirts and looking like goths. It ruined something that I truly hold close to my heart.”
In 1997, Ravn formed 1349 and recruited bassist Seidemann and, now former, guitarist Tjalve to help him pursue the vision of recapturing the original spirit of black metal. The longstanding lineup of Ravn, Seidemann, guitarist Archaon, and drummer Frost (also of Satyricon) has been in place since 2001. “I found people that felt the same way as me,” Ravn says of his bandmates. “We wanted to bring back the trademark of Norwegian black metal, as it was presented in the early 90s. Every time we release an album, that’s the inspiration and the backdrop.”
The Wolf and the King is the latest sortie in that crusade.1349’s eighth album sees the Oslo-based band harnessing the primordial energy of black metal’s decade-defining second wave and channeling it through ancient mysteries and the relentless global chaos of the 2020s.
The album title comes from a classic alchemical allegory: A wolf devours a king. Then the wolf is devoured by flames, and a new king rises from the ashes. “When I first heard about alchemy when I was young, it was people turning metal into gold,” Ravn says. “Further down the road, through various literatures and magical practices, I realized that what you’re turning into gold is metaphorical. It’s about personal development, basically. You want to be the best you can be, and that’s what we try to do as well. We try to top ourselves, to kill our egos in order to grow as persons. If you don’t do that, you will die. You will not rise from the ashes.”
Lead single “Ash of Ages” combines thrash with extreme metal flourishes and a proper doomsday theme. “The song is based on a story I read about a layer of ash that covered the Earth 12,000 years ago,” Ravn explains. “This layer of ash comes from a meteorite that struck the Earth during the Ice Age. It melted a lot of the ice, which is where the Great Flood came from. The Great Flood is in the Bible, but it was written about in every ancient culture. The theory is that it washed away a lot of other ancient cultures that held a higher intelligence level than those that were found after the flood. So, it possibly set human civilization back many thousands of years.”
Released as a one-sided maxi-12” with a flipside etching by Jordan Barlow—who did all the artwork for The Wolf and the King (as well as the band’s 2019 album, The Infernal Pathway)—“Ash of Ages” is also a warning to check your ego. “To think that you’re important, that you’re anything but an ant down there, is futile,” Ravn points out. “In the end, everything will be washed away, and nothing will be left.”
“Shadow Point” comes complete with a video and revisits the sonic domain of The Infernal Pathway with a classic headbanger groove. “This one references the Star of Algol, or ‘the Demon Star,’” Ravn offers. “It’s actually two stars that revolve around each other, and the small one is devouring the big one. Human beings have seen this star from early ages, and it has had many names over the years. It’s a known part of the magical world, so I wanted to include it in a song.”
Shot through with menace and a snaky groove, album opener “The God Devourer” will also have a video. “The lyrics are based on the alchemical principle of devouring all that you feel is in your way of becoming a better human,” Ravn says. “It sets the ominous tone for the whole album.”
Recorded at Amper Tone in Oslo, Norway, and New Constellation R.M.P. in Orlando, Florida, The Wolf and the King was produced and mixed by Ravn and Jarrett Pritchard (Eulogy, Pulchra Morte), the band’s long-standing sonic wizard who also worked on their previous two albums. The lyrics were written by the band’s longtime wordsmith, Svartalv, who has been working with 1349 for twenty years.
Jordan Barlow’s elaborate artwork for The Wolf and the King reflects the album’s chronological position in 1349’s discography. “This is our eighth album, and the artwork and lyrics are filled with references to this number of infinity,” Ravn explains. “You can basically go on a quest finding references to the number in the artwork.”
All told, The Wolf and the King is the exalted output of the joint force that is 1349. “We all work together to make the best black metal possible every time we release an album,” Ravn says. “This is our common goal. We’re a band on a mission.”
Recording Studio Amper Tone (Oslo, Norway) & NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. (Orlando, USA)
Production Credits Produced by Jarrett Prichard & Ravn Mixed by Jaerrett Prichard & Ravn at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. Mastered by Jaerrett Prichard at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P.
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
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