October 4 will mark the highly anticipated release of “Êra”, the upcoming new album by German atmospheric black metal duo ASARHADDON, set to be unleashed through Vendetta Records! In anticipation of this upcoming release, the band has unveiled a music video for the first single “Ein letzter Frühling”.
In their own words, the band shares: “Dear listeners, allow us to steal some of your precious time, by unveiling the first track of our forthcoming full-length record, titled ‘Êra’. ‘Ein letzter Frühling’ takes you into 7th Century Japan, painting a dramatic yet enchanting picture of sovereign Suiko’s life, the first female Tennō of Yamato. Celebrating a decade of misery this year, we are delighted to welcome you to another milestone of our musical catalogue. Come with us, Asarhaddon.“
Watch the video here:
ASARHADDON‘s sophomore full-length “Êra” marks a significant milestone for the band as they celebrate their tenth anniversary, inviting listeners to embark on a journey through time and emotion.
“Êra”, which translates to “crown” in Old Low Franconian, weaves the tales of four kings, drawing inspiration from true historical events. The record reads like a singing book, transporting listeners to a realm filled with sorrowful melancholy, golden sands, deep forests, enchanting autumn colours, and distant waters. ASARHADDON‘s music serves as a poignant reminder of days long past, inviting a dance of majestic timbre and wailing poetry.
The album cover, adorned with the skulls of four birds, symbolizes the respective countries of origin of the four kings. This striking imagery was captured in a local forest that holds significant meaning for the band, reflecting their roots and the journey they have taken over the past decade.
In their grieving compositions, the collective envelops the listener in a meld of grand atmospheres and a ponderous sadness. Their instruments form choirs chanting mournful hymns, meandering through the gloom of arcane worlds forgotten by time. Accompanied by remarkably poetic calls, the two writers reveal a deep longing for secludedness in nature.
“Êra” by ASARHADDON will be available on October 4 via Vendetta Records.
Tracklist:
Der silberne Mond
Im tiefen Wald
Ein letzter Frühling
Die roten Vögel
ASARHADDON are: Christian Kircher Christian Koss
Session musicians Nova (Vocals) Florian Kunde (Live bass)
The ocean is as contradictory as it is mysterious. On the one hand, it is deep, dangerous, pitch-black, with parts that still remain unexplored, while folklore and mythology teach us that it is also full of sea monsters, like kraken or giant squids, and deadly alluring creatures like sirens or mermaids. On the other hand, it is calm and quiet, providing silent caves and sheltering shores, populated by beautiful beings as well as fascinating flora. In a metaphorical understanding, this plurality of the ocean also reflects the multiplicity of human emotions and experiences. This thematic area is precisely where symphonic metal mermaid and talented singer-songwriter TALIA HOIT drew inspiration from for her upcoming Album Oceans, which will be released November 21, 2024.
In ten captivating songs, the emerging female symphonic metal vocalist is reaching masterful highs and depths, boasting a stellar line-up featuring Mat Plekhanov on guitar (DRAGONY), Roland Navratil on drums (ATROCITY, LEAVES EYES, EDENBRIDGE), and Max Stoner on bass and rhythm guitar. All album tracks are produced by Frank Pitters (VISIONS OF ATLANTIS, DEEP SUN, EDENBRIDGE) and Talia Hoit, all written by her and all thematically connected to the nautical theme. Oceans embraces a symphonic submersion into the shifting tides of human emotions, addressing topics of slow moving love landing upon rocky shores, the vast and empty void of loss, steadfastness amidst turbulent waves, and the triumph of human spirit – Talia Hoit invites us to join her on a journey below the waves and into the oceans within. Her sound is dark, introspective, and metaphorical. It surely triggers a range of emotions and might make you reflect on topics like love and loss. Talia explains: “With this album, I really want people to feel the music and the themes of the songs’ lyrics deeply, like the depths of the ocean. I want it to be a journey for the listener, one that is enjoyable but also emotionally moving.” But even if you’re not engaging in such deep dives, you might just enjoy being taken on a nautical musical journey, an adventure if you will. Either way, Talia’s music has an undeniable impact on the listener. So if you’re a metal fish bobbing around in the vast sea of musical options, you will definitely enjoy deliberately getting caught in her carefully woven symphonic metal net!
Tracklist for Oceans: 1. Castaway 2. Unanchored 3. Ocean 4. Beautiful 5. Stolen 6. Abyss 7. VastDeep 8. Island of Hope 9. Infinity 10. Significance
Can’t wait for the new album to drop? No worries! You can bridge the waiting period and get a taste for the mood and sound of the upcoming album Oceans, by diving into Talia Hoit’s new video single Ocean in the meantime. The song will also be featured on the upcoming album and serves as a first taste of what to expect, being the initial inspiration for Oceans.
The musical contrast and interplay between the captivating orchestral arrangement, the heavy instrumental sounds, Talia’s smooth soprano vocals, and her emotional lyrics are intertwined in a fascinating blend of musical impressions, evoking the association of feeling the ebb and flow of the ocean’s waves and its rhythmic movement, on the surface and below. The strong, emotional tone as well as the lyrics of the song resemble the challenge of steering the tumultuous waters of human affection, much like navigating the deep waters of the sea. At the same time, the song reminds listeners that the brutality and extent of the ocean, which can make you feel very small and lost, similarly to the overwhelming experience of love and being separated from loved ones, is being balanced out by the beautiful moments of togetherness and being there for each other, equally pleasant as the sparkling of the ocean’s surface. So come and dive into the Ocean with Talia Hoit!
For Talia Hoit from Colorado, who has been classically trained to play the piano since the age of five, her early musical education has definitely paid off. Now she writes original songs, performs on vocals and keyboards, and composes orchestra scores for symphonic metal. For many years, she has also had a passion for writing songs outside of any formal band situation, and is now working with talented producers and musicians to bring her most personal and intimate songs to life to share with the world.
For five years, Talia was the keyboardist and a songwriter for the band AnaDies. Presently she is the lead singer, orchestrator and co-songwriter in the symphonic metal band BEYOND FORGIVENESS and the keyboardist for the metal band OB NIXILIS. As a solo artist, she recorded two original home studio albums for personal purposes, Fate’s Too Small (2007) and A Little Longer (2012), which had a limited physical CD release only, mostly just for friends and family. Back in 2019, she recorded the single Angel (produced by Jarek Musil), which just recently received a new master, and after the experience of working with a professional producer she decided to pursue her solo project, to professionally produce and commercially release as many of the personal songs she had written over the years as possible. In 2023, she released two more singles: Abandon and Whispers in the Storm. Her extensive experience in the music industry and understanding of classical music are quite audibly reflected in these works, which show a high level of quality and expertise. Talia’s music is definitely a treat for symphonic metal fans and heavy music lovers, showing influences of bands such as WITHIN TEMPTATION, NIGHTWISH, EVANESCENCE, and VISIONS OF ATLANTIS.
Surf the web, hop on the metal waves, and get into the right mood, even before the new album release! Check out and listen to Talia Hoit online here:
The darkness of doom metal and the ferocity of death metal are set to collide in a new and exciting collaboration. Doom/death metal project TIME CONSUMED has signed an exclusive deal with Wormholedeath for the release of the highly anticipated EP, Long Night Of Silence. The EP is scheduled to drop on October 11, 2024.
The creative force behind Time Consumed, Matt Krogen, expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Thank you to Wormholedeath for taking an interest in my music. This album has a variety of sounds, combining doom and death metal in a simple yet engaging way that will keep people listening. The lyrics deal mostly with spirituality, including the death of a loved one and the end of time. I had some help making the songs, but I paid for the album to be made myself, so to be noticed by a label stands as a testimony to my commitment and passion for the art. I am looking forward to releasing more music with everyone at Wormholedeath.”
EP Tracklist:
Time Draining
I Love The Dark
Long Night Of Silence
For over a decade, Matt Krogen has been playing guitar and attempting to form a band, but finding long-term commitment from others proved challenging. With a deep interest in all rock and metal subgenres, a passion for doom metal emerged after discovering a 24/7 doom metal channel on YouTube. The song “Where Suns Turn to Grey” by Veil Of Conspiracy profoundly influenced him, inspiring the writing of lyrics and self-teaching piano.
Krogen managed to secure assistance for vocals and album art, financing the album’s production. He has released a hard rock album titled “Die Royal” and is currently working on a power-metal project called Melting Kandle. Additionally, he is awaiting the publication of his first sci-fi novel. As a multifaceted artist, Krogen continues to search for his place in the world.
Embrace the Crushing Depths of Time Consumed through the visualizer for “Long Night Of Silence”:
Danish death metal band NECKBREAKKER have announced their signing to Nuclear Blast Records. The fast rising five piece have built a reputation of delivering blistering live shows, having toured alongside the likes of CRYPTA, LEFT TO DIE and BAEST as well as playing at festivals such as Hellfest, Bloodstock, Summer Breeze, Resurrection Fest, Inferno Festival and more.
To coincide with the signing, the band have released the video for their first single ever, the ferocious ‘Horizon Of Spikes’.
On their signing to Nuclear Blast Records and the release of their first ever single, the band comments:
“We are honored to announce that we have signed with Nuclear Blast Records, and that our first single ‘Horizon Of Spikes’ and the accompanying music video is out now. To not only finally share our first single with the world, but to get the opportunity to do it on the world’s finest metal label feels absolutely incredible.”
Catch NECKBREAKKER live at one of the following dates: 21st September – DK, Herning – Fermaten* 31st October – DK, Aabenraa – Sønderjyllandshallen* 8th October – DK, Viborg – Palletten* 9th October – DK, Helsingør – Toldkammeret* 7th December – DK, Aarhus – Voxhall 14th December – DK, Copenhagen – Pumpehuset
*Supporting MERCERNARY
NECKBREAKKER is Christoffer Kofoed – Vocals Joakim Kaspersen – Guitar Johan Lundvig – Guitar Sebastian Knoblauch – Bass Anton ‘Hajn’ Bregendorf – Drums
Ah… fall is here. Leaves are changing colors, the aroma of pumpkin spice permeates the air, warm boots keep the cool crisp air at bay and the guttural sound of FUMING MOUTH’s savage new single, ‘Metal On Metal’, radiates your ears. Truly, the perfect weather for unbridled death metal! Out now from Nuclear Blast Records, the revered New England band’s latest, seething track arrives just ahead of upcoming shows and festival appearances.
Describing the single, vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan says: “Equally parts death metal and hardcore. Get to head banging and get to moshing.”
‘Metal On Metal’ was produced with Kurt Ballou (Full Of Hell, Code Orange, Nails) at GodCity Studios during the band’s Last Day of Sun recording session and is part of the critically acclaimed record’s concept of perseverance, survival and resurrection inspired by Whelan’s battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Overcoming cancer in 2022, Whelan and crew rebounded in late 2023 with Last Day of Sun, setting a new pace for death metal in the process. Featuring the raw, brutal tracks ‘The Silence Beyond Life,’ ‘I’ll Find You’ and ‘Kill The Disease’ the record unravels with cataclysmic riffs and dire, ferocious vocals that take fans on a tumultuous journey through the arduous process of suffering and healing.
Earlier this year, the band released a follow dual singles, ‘Daylight Again’ and ‘Timeless’.
Don’t Break The Oath, the second studio album by Danish heavy metal icons, MERCYFUL FATE, will see a special vinyl repress on Metal Blade Records on November 1st. Initially issued in 1984 through Roadrunner Records, the Metal Blade edition celebrates the ground-breaking record’s 40th anniversary!
Comments Metal Blade founder and CEO, Brian Slagel, “We’re here to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most legendary albums of all-time: MERCYFUL FATE’s Don’t Break The Oath. At Metal Blade, we’re extremely honored and happy to be repressing the album on vinyl and the band will be celebrating the anniversary by releasing a whole bunch of really cool merch. So, check it out, go get the repressing, and enjoy and celebrate the 40th anniversary of Don’t Break the Oath!“
Adds Nuclear Blast Records head of A&R and former VP of A&R at Roadrunner Records, Monte Conner, “How do you follow up Melissa, one of the greatest metal debuts of all time? An album that features a song called ‘Satan’s Fall,’ that contains enough riffs for any other metal band to have written an entire album from. You follow it up by doing it again a mere year later with Don’t Break The Oath, featuring even better production, and songs that are even more fleshed out and have more meat on the bone. Tracks like ‘Gypsy,’ ‘The Oath,’ and ‘Come To The Sabbath’ are metal classics for the ages, but honestly I could add the other six songs on the album to that list. Every track is an undeniable classic for the ages. They just don’t make albums like this anymore! Having later worked at Roadrunner Records, the label that released this album in 1984, I am thrilled to see it reaching a whole new generation of metalheads 40 years later, and what better label to do the honors than the mighty Metal Blade.”
The 40th anniversary edition of MERCYFUL FATE‘s Don’t Break The Oath will see release on special Ruby Red vinyl.
Don’t Break The Oath Track Listing: Side A: 1. A Dangerous Meeting 2. Nightmare 3. Desecration Of Souls 4. Night Of The Unborn Side B: 1. The Oath 2. Gypsy 3. Welcome Princess Of Hell 4. To One Far Away 5. Come To The Sabbath
MERCYFUL FATE: King Diamond – vocals, keyboard, harpsichord Hank Shermann – guitars Michael Denner – guitars Timi Hansen – bass Kim Ruzz – drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 