Alright, misfits and marauders, gather ’round! Forget whatever tame plans you had for the next few months because EIHWAR is about to blow the roof off every venue from the Netherlands to France. Welcome to the sonic apocalypse, it’s time for the Viking War Trance – 2024 EU Tour, and it’s going be an absolute berserker raid on the senses!
Get ready to feast your eyes (and ears) on the raw energy of EIHWAR live! Here’s where the sonic storm will hit:
Viking War Trance 2024 – EU Tour Dates: 21 September: Arcen, NL @ Elfia 22 September: Arcen, NL @ Elfia 28 September: Saint Raphael, FR @ Distortion Festival 04 October: Bordeaux, FR @ Le Salem 05 October: St Macaire en Mauges, FR @ Mauges Pit Fest III 19 October: Les Pennes-Mirabeau, FR @ La Nuit des Sorcières 02 November: Bernay, FR @ Festival de Samhain 10 November: Porto, PT @ Ampli Fest 13 November: Prague, CZ @ Lucerna Music Bar 04 December: Monthey, CH @ Pont Rouge 05 December: Erfurt, GE @ Club From Hell 06 December: Dortmund, DE @ Phantastic Lights Christmas Market 07 December: Weiher, GE @ Live Music Hall 08 December: Strasbourg, FR @ La Maison Bleue 10 December: Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Vredenburg 11 December: Tilburg, NL @ Hall of Fame 12 December: Lille, FR @ La Bulle Café 13 December: Nantes, FR @ Le Ferrailleur 14 December: Paris, FR @ Petit Bain
EIHWAR‘s Mark and Asrunn have forged an album that will make Valhalla quake! Their debut offering, Viking War Trance, is a bone-crushing, heart-pounding relentless ride. Picture a band of Vikings swapping their axes for synthesizers and going ham on a techno dancefloor. This album’s an electric storm—a wild, raw statement to the power of clashing eras, calling forth gods and demons from ancient legends. Tracks like Völva’s Chant, the eponymous Viking War Trance and the reforged version of Berserkr are the sonic equivalent of Odin’s ravens swooping down on a rave.
Viking War Trance is out September 20 on Season of Mist.
Tracklist 1. Viking War Trance (4:30) [WATCH] 2. Ragnarök (Viking War Trance Reforged) (7:10) 3. Völva’s Chant (4:05) [WATCH] 4. Geri And Freki (4:21) 5. Baldr (4:08) 6. Fenrir (Viking War Trance Reforged) (5:13) 7. Berserkr (Viking War Trance Reforged) (4:04) [WATCH] 8. Mjölnir (5:25) 9. Sir Mannelig (1:54) Total runtime: 40:54
Many bands have explored the Pagan & Norse worlds over the last 15 years seeking atmospheric, acoustic and ritual sounds with great seriousness. This is not the path EIHWAR chose.
Although the musicians of Eihwar are virtuosos in their acoustic traditional instruments, their goal is to bring some fun… and as much chaos as possible during their concerts, provoking the craziest trance on dancefloors. They bring a festive and furious neo-viking music whose primal force is based on technoid machines, mixed with trance vocals, shamanic drums and traditional Nordic sounds. Electronics are a ‘new steel’ for those modern warriors, cold and powerful. As the web already says, the duo is a kind of new ‘Viking Carpenter Brut’.
Thus, Eihwar named the single, the album but also their style of music ‘Viking War Trance’.
“We are heavy drops of rain announcing lightning. We call for war: A war waged against our judgments, Our inner demons, our limits, Our stiffness of body and mind. We don’t want our best enemies to spare us Nor to be spared by those we love. We invoke a war for our thoughts, A flamboyant chaos of fire & ice, Cradle of creation.”
Since its appearance on YouTube in February 2023, Eihwar has shook the Internet and concert venues. The band experienced rapid expansion on YouTube and was quickly booked by major European festivals such as Hellfest, Leyendas del Rock, Wave Gotik Treffen & more to be announced!
Line-up Asrunn: Vocals, Traditional Percussions Mark – Vocals, Machines
Recording credits are being kept anonymous intentionally
Sydney’s heavy/thrash metal powerhouse DECIMATOR presents the chilling lyric video for their track “Blackened Skies.”
Set in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, the video paints a grim picture of humanity’s destruction of the planet. A young girl struggles to survive amidst the ruins, while Decimator’s relentless music provides a powerful backdrop.
“Blackened Skies” offers a glimpse of what’s to come from Decimator’s upcoming album, “‘Til The Enemies Are Gone”, set for release on October 4th, 2024, via Wormholedeath Records. Recorded in a single day at Powell Lane Studios in Coogee, NSW, the album is built on tracks composed by a lineup that only performed live once, injecting a raw and unpredictable energy into their sound. Combining the ferocious grooves of modern metal with the blistering riffs of classic thrash, “‘Til The Enemies Are Gone” is a must-listen for metal fans everywhere.
Mojo Thunder are pleased to announce the release of their new single “Coming Back To You.” It’s the fourth single taken from their brand-new studio album The Infinite Hope.
“Coming Back To You” is a fun, uplifting rocker written by guitarist Bryson Willoughby. Lyrically the song reads like a love letter with conviction, passion, and assurance that despite any distance, no path is too far to come back from. Simply put, it’s unfettered devotion that isn’t ashamed to be honest.
Sean Sullivan gives a spectacular vocal performance, and Willoughby is perhaps at his most interesting with the guitar work. There’s a raw and raucous attack that accompanies the melodically rich tale thanks to the strong rhythm section of bassist Andrew Brockman and drummer Zac Shoopman.
Of the song Willoughby says, “There’s a lot of tropes in rock and roll where artists indulge in this toxic machismo. It’s boring, overdone, and I wanted to say something real. Something that showed my relationship the respect it deserves, and above all else, was truthful.”
Mojo Thunder’s new album, The Infinite Hope explores topics such as activism (“Caroline”), tragedy (“Memphis”), the dark side of the American south (“Holy Ghost’), Love (“Grace,” “Coming Back to You”) and the search for truth (“Greetings from Western Art”). Champions of self-empowerment and authenticity, the band has cultivated a community built around acceptance. There is a sense of belonging in the music, and as the album title suggests, a call for hope.
Produced by Duane Lundy (Ringo Starr, Justin Wells, Sturgill Simpson) at the Lexington Recording Co. Lundy said, “We all shared the desire to do things as a unit, to perform, to mine for as many dynamics and emotion in their performances, but still putting the priority on the songs,” says Lundy about the recording process.
Continues Lundy, “The song lyrics are thoughtful and meaningful, something that I feel like is often slighted in current rock material. My main takeaway was the quality of people they are. Their invitation meant a great deal to me, and I feel like I have four new family members.”
The Infinite Hope – Track Listing
The Sun Still Rises (4:28) Coming Back to You (4:46) Step by Step (3:25) Let it Fall (4:00) Holy Ghost (3:09) Memphis (5:04) Caroline (4:45) Gettin’ On a Binge (4:17) Grace (4:44) Greetings from Western Art (7:37)
Produced by Duane Lundy with Mojo Thunder Mixed by Duane Lundy Album art by Chancit Jeffords
In support of the record the band will perform a select run of Kentucky concerts leading up to its release prior to embarking on a month-long European tour that includes stops in Germany, France, Spain and more. Tickets are available from www.mojothunder.com.
Mojo Thunder – 2024 European Tour
Sept. 20 – Dortmund, DE – Blue Notez e.V. Sept. 21 – Besançon, FR – Bar de l’U Sept. 22 – Chambéry, FR – Brin de Zinc Sept. 25 – Barcelona, ESP – Razz 3 Sept. 26 – Castelló De La Plana, ESP – Because Sept. 27 – Girona, ESP – Mirorock Festival Sept. 28 – Orihuela, ESP – Sala La Gramola Sept. 29 – Jurez De La Frontera, ESP – La guarida del Angel Oct. 1 – Ourense, ESP – Café Auriense Oct. 2 – León, ESP – Babylon Oct. 3 – La Coruña, ESP – Mardi Gras Oct. 4 – Avilés, ESP – La Factoria Cultural Oct. 6 – Vitoria-Gasteiz, ESP – Urban Rock Concept Oct. 10 – Heilbronn, DE – WaldHaus eV Heilbronn Oct. 11 – Kufstein, AUT – Kufa Oct. 12 – Singwitz, DE – Kesselhaus Oct. 13 – Burglengenfeld, DE – VAZ Oct. 15 – Bratislava, SVK – Muzeum Obchodu Oct. 18 – Altlandsberg, DE – Buchholz Saloon Oct. 19 – Joldelund, DE – Gerd’s Juke Joint Oct. 22 – Bremen, DE – Meisenfrei Oct. 23 – Hamburg, DE – Cowboy und Indianers Oct. 24 – Hamburg, DE – Club Am Donnerstag Oct. 25 – Krefeld, DE – Kulturrampe Oct 26 – Isernhagen, DE – Blues Garage Oct. 27 – Weert, NL – De Bosuil
Mojo Thunder is an American rock band from Kentucky composed of Bryson Willoughby (Lead Guitar) Sean Sullivan (vocals, guitar), Andrew Brockman (bass), and Zac Shoopman (drums).
The boys are seated under the shade of a family tree that bears its fruit on the branches of Kings of Leon, and the Black Crowes; deeply rooted in an unwavering respect for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin.
Established in 2018, Mojo Thunder hit the road and quickly gained attention of live music fans with an electrifying show praised for its high energy, heavy grooves, improvised jams, and a familiar, yet new sound. Early studio efforts include two singles, and an EP titled Loose Lips released June 9, 2019.
The debut Hymns from the Electric Church was released on May 24, 2021. Classic Rock Magazine described it as, “a stunner; a sun-dappled potpourri of everything good and true about American rock’n’roll, from crunching hard rock to soulful blues, from breezy cosmic Americana to head-bopping summertime arena-rock anthems.” It received a 9/10 review.
On March 7, 2023, the band released the live album Alive, with Friends that showcased the explementary qualities of the band’s live performance. It features guest appearances and extended versions of songs spanning from the first single through Hymns from the Electric Church. Recorded over two nights in Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, fans were invited to be a part of the band’s hometown audience. Supplemental videos from the performances, including non-album material, were released on the band’s YouTube channel.
The sophomore album, The Infinite Hope is released August 30, 2024. Fans of rock music will be pleased to see a return to familiar sounds while also ambitiously reaching for new heights. The southern American working-class ethos is put on full display with the newest release as it’s made clear that this is a band that will continue to grow and evolve.
Finnish black metal band Noitasapatti is set to release their new studio album ‘Sankarin matka’ on November 29th 2024 via Inverse Records. The First single ‘Paluu liekkeihin’ is released today and it’s available HERE: https://push.fm/fl/noitasapatti-paluu
Music by Janne Kekki, Konsta Mikkonen, Aliisa Mäki, Kalle Jönsson
Lyrics by Jussi Tuulensuu
Single cover by Mika Huumonen
The band comments:
“Paluu liekkeihin is the first single from the album “Sankarin matka”. It is a good example of the band’s versatile songwriting that moves between atmospheres, and the track has found its place as the final song at our shows. “Paluu liekkeihin” consists of aggressive parts mixed together with more melodic and atmospheric ones, therefore it is a great piece for introducing the band to a broader audience. The lyrics paint an oppressive picture of a world in ruins, slowly ceasing to exist.”
1. Tulikipuna 2. Tuhatkasvoinen 3. Sankarin matka 4. Paluu liekkeihin 5. Käskyläisen sanat 6. Henkien polulla 7. Matka halki myrskyjen 8. Tähtivaeltaja
Album cover by Mika Huumonen
BIOGRAPHY: NOITASAPATTI was born in spring 2017 in Pori, Finland by Erakko (vocals), Liekkiö (guitars, keyboards), Mielivalta (guitars) and Rampa (bass). Soon after that, Rienaaja joined us as a drummer and the first line-up was complete. After a couple of months of intensive rehearsing and composing, we recorded our first demo, “Vaellamme kuin Taivaankappaleet” on december 2017 and released it on CDr-format spring 2018. First live-show took place in our hometown also in the same spring. After that, Rampa left the band and Erakko began to play bass. Next year we recorded a second demo, “Aarnivalkean ajamana” and played some gigs. In 2020, we made a split-album with another Finnish band HOLLOW CORPSE. After some line-up changes, Häviö came to the band at the end of 2020 and a few months later, Kadonnut also joined the band to play keyboards. In summer 2021, we finally recorded our first full-length album “Kuolemattomille maille”. After a few successful live-shows it was time to record our second full-length album, “Sankarin matka” (A hero’s journey) in summer 2023. Album is now recorded, mixed, and mastered, and we are more satisfied with the result than ever before!
Our music can be described as 1990’s black metal with lots of melodies and even “burzumic” atmosperes. Also, you can hear influences from early British death/doom, epic viking metal and even some old school progressive music. Vocals are quite original “howling” and also heavily Burzum-influenced screams. Lyrics are written in Finnish.
In a groundbreaking event, Finnish Metal icons SWALLOW THE SUN featuring the Avant-Garde BALLET FINLAND are set to present their collaborative performance, “Plague of Butterflies”, during 70000TONS OF METAL in 2025. This unique performance will make its World Premiere outside of Finland in January 2025, on board The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, with two separate presentations of the work occurring whilst on board. Following each of the two performances of “Plague of Butterflies”, SWALLOW THE SUN will play two different regular sets as well.
“Plague of Butterflies” is a story about loneliness in a world damaged by a plague, and its performance is an innovative, and hypnotic fusion of SWALLOW THE SUN’s evocative Melodic Death/Doom Metal sound with BALLET FINLAND’s contemporary dance. Originally composed in 2008, the piece was intended to be choreographed as a ballet production, and is now 16 years later, finally ready to be brought to the stage after numerous unfortunate setbacks.
Juha Raivio from SWALLOW THE SUN adds: “When I wrote the music for “Plague of Butterflies”, I didn’t know that the story of isolation and loss would come true both in personal life, but also later collectively, as the pandemic closed the world from around us. Now we seem to have come full circle as the piece has been brought to life in a form it was always meant to. Thank you BALLET FINLAND.”
The performance will unfold aboard the cruise ship, creating a singular and immersive experience for attendees, blending live music and dynamic choreography in a setting that has never before hosted such a collaboration – a Heavy Metal Cruise.
After three completely sold-out shows in Helsinki, there has been a high demand for additional performances. As such, the performance of “Plague of Butterflies” in the unusual setting of 70000TONS OF METAL 2025 in the Caribbean sea promises to be a historic and landmark event, merging the energy of Metal with the artistry of ballet in an unprecedented way.
Juha Raivio’s exclusive video message on the upcoming stunning performance by SWALLOW THE SUN and BALLET FINLAND onboard 70000TONS OF METAL is now on YouTube:
70000TONS OF METAL 2025 will take place January 30 – February 3, and sail from Miami, Florida to Ocho Rios, Jamaica and back on board the Independence of the Seas. 60 bands, each band performing TWICE – once on the way to Ocho Rios and once on the way back to Miami – so SWALLOW THE SUN featuring BALLET FINLAND can be enjoyed twice!
Bands announced to date include: ARCTURUS BENIGHTED (2 special sets playing the “Carnivore Sublime” album and a “Best Of” set) BEYOND CREATION CANDLEMASS (celebrating “40 Years Of Doom”) CROWNSHIFT DECAPITATED (2 special sets playing the “Nihility” and “Cancer Culture” albums) DELAIN EMPEROR (2 special sets: “In the Nightside Eclipse” and “Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk”) FINNTROLL (2 special sets: one “Dark Set” focused on the darker repertoire and one “Light Set” focused on the “party” side) FLOTSAM & JETSAM (2 special sets: “Doomsday for the Deceiver” and “No Place for Disgrace”) HAMMERFALL IN EXTREMO (2 special “Best Of” Sets as part of their 30th Anniversary Celebration) KALMAH (2 special sets playing the “They Will Return” and “Swampsong” albums) MAJESTICA MORK ONSLAUGHT (2 special sets playing “Power From Hell” album celebrating its 40th anniversary and the “The Force” album) SAMAEL (2 special sets playing the “Ceremony of Opposites” and “Passage” albums) SEPTICFLESH SEPULTURA (Official FAREWELL AT SEA SHOWS) SONATA ARCTICA STRATOVARIUS (2 special sets playing the “Visions” album and a “Best Of” set) SUBWAY TO SALLY (2 special sets playing the “Nord Nord Ost” album celebrating its 20th anniversary and an exclusive “Party Best Of” set) SWALLOW THE SUN feat. BALLET FINLAND (2 special sets performing “Plague of Butterflies” with BALLET FINLAND, followed by 2 different regular sets) TANKARD THE KOVENANT (2 special sets playing the “Nexus Polaris” album and a “Best Of” set) THE ZENITH PASSAGE TROUBLE (2 special sets playing “The Skull” album celebrating its 40th anniversary and a “Best Of” set) TWILIGHT FORCE (2 special sets playing the “Dawn of the Dragonstar” album and a “Best Of” set) UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
31 more bands will be announced.
1 cruise ship, 60 Metal bands, 4 days, only 3000 tickets. With no VIP areas it truly is li everyone has a backstage pass, making it an incredibly popular event with fans joining from over 70+ countries every year (the organizers proudly call themselves the “United Nations of Heavy Metal at Sea”). Limited tickets remain for the 70000TONS OF METAL 2025 cruise, featuring a lineup of top Metal bands and exclusive performances!
SWALLOW THE SUN, formed in 2000 in Jyväskylä, Finland, is a pioneering force in the Melodic Death/Doom Metal genre. Known for their unique blend of melancholic melodies and crushing heaviness, the band has become a cornerstone of the Finnish Metal scene. Their music is characterized by its atmospheric depth, blending Melodic Doom/Metal’s slow, melancholic riffs with Death Metal’s intense aggression and intricate arrangements. Over the years, SWALLOW THE SUN has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “The Morning Never Came”, “When a Shadow Is Forced into the Light”, and “Moonflowers”, which have solidified their reputation for crafting emotionally potent and sonically expansive music
The band’s live performances are renowned for their immersive and emotive qualities, often featuring elaborate visuals and a powerful stage presence. SWALLOW THE SUN has toured extensively across Europe, North America, and beyond, sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in Metal and earning a devoted international following. Their collaboration with BALLET FINLAND for “Plague of Butterflies” represents a new artistic direction, pushing the boundaries of their music into the realm of interdisciplinary performance art.
About BALLET FINLAND
BALLET FINLAND is a contemporary ballet company renowned for its innovative and boundary-defying approach to dance. Established as a leading force in the Finnish dance scene, the company is celebrated for its ability to integrate traditional ballet techniques with modern sensibilities, creating performances that are both visually stunning and intellectually stimulating.
Under the visionary leadership of artistic director Helena Hiltunen, BALLET FINLAND has garnered acclaim for its experimental and eclectic repertoire. The company’s work often incorporates elements from various artistic disciplines, including theater, multimedia, and visual arts, to create immersive and multidimensional performances. This interdisciplinary approach allows BALLET FINLAND to explore complex themes and emotions, pushing the boundaries of conventional ballet and engaging audiences in new and exciting ways.
BALLET FINLAND’s performances are known for their emotional depth and artistic innovation. The company’s repertoire includes a wide range of contemporary works, from abstract pieces to narrative-driven ballets, each showcasing a distinctive blend of movement, music, and visual design. The company is dedicated to fostering new talent and collaborating with both established and emerging choreographers, ensuring a dynamic and evolving artistic vision.
About 70000TONS OF METAL
70000TONS OF METAL is The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise. With ten consecutive sellouts since the inaugural voyage in 2011, this extraordinary and unique floating festival now sails on board some of the largest luxury passenger vessels in the world. Featuring 60 world-class Heavy Metal bands from around the globe performing across four stages, 70000TONS OF METAL is home to The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to sail the Open Seas. Guests can enjoy the Heavy Metal festival experience of a lifetime with all the benefits that a cruise has to offer: complimentary fine dining, bars that never close, 24-hour room service, as well as the ship’s many amenities.
All 60 bands on board play twice – and there’s four concert locations on board: A concert hall, the Royal Theater, stands tall with five levels. The Star Lounge offers a more personal and local club-like ambiance. Discover the arena-like vibes at Studio B, the third indoor stage available. Lastly, yet undoubtedly the most remarkable, is the Pool Deck Stage: The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to Sail the Open Seas. This immense stage is accompanied by bars, pools, and even hot tubs that are integrated into the stage itself, allowing guests to indulge in the unique experience of watching their favorite metal bands while soaking in a hot tub.
This four-day Heavy Metal Music Festival and Caribbean vacation offers 3000 metalheads the amazing opportunity to mingle side-by-side with all of the bands on board. With no VIP areas it truly is like everyone has a backstage pass. Not only do guests have unrestricted festival access to 120+ live performances (all bands play twice), every ticket also includes meet & greets with every band, intimate masterclasses with select musicians and exclusive live & listening premieres. Guests also have full access to the “Jamming in International Waters All Star Jam” – a one-of-a-kind jam session featuring a host of musical virtuosos performing classic metal songs together on stage. Sailors also have the special opportunity to explore a Caribbean dream destination with their favorite band members on an “Artist Escorted Shore Excursion”, another 70000TONS OF METAL exclusive.
For more details about 70000TONS OF METAL 2025, including FAQs, vessel amenities and contact information, please visit 70000tons.com
Michael Schenker releases ‘Only you can Rock with me’ as the first Album Single of his upcoming Album ‘My Years With Ufo’ through earMUSIC.
This new single once again showcases an incredible lineup featuring Joey Tempest (Europe) on vocals, Roger Glover (Deep Purple) on bass, Derek Sherinian on keys, and Brian Tichy on drums. As we approach the album’s release, the anticipation builds for what’s set to be one of 2024’s most exciting rock records!
Schenker’s new album ‘My Years with UFO’ is a tribute to the golden years that saw British hard rock band UFO rise from an underground phenomenon to rock legends.
Produced by Michael Schenker and Michael Voss, the new album marks the 50th anniversary of Schenker’s era with UFO, spanning from 1972 to 1978. The ‘German Wunderkind’ was asked to join UFO at just 17 years old. In the following years, Michael Schenker secured his place as one of rock’s most influential creators by composing UFO’s most beloved tracks, including ‘Doctor Doctor’, ‘Rock Bottom’, ‘Lights Out’, ‘Love to Love’ and many more.
Although Michael Schenker’s era with UFO spanned only six years, his influence as a young songwriter and exceptional guitarist had already left a lasting mark on the world of rock. During these meteoric years, the UFO albums ‘Phenomenon’, ‘Force It’, ‘No Heavy Petting’, ‘Lights Out’, ‘Obsession’, and the seminal live album ‘Strangers in the Night’ were recorded, each contributing significantly to the genre. ‘Strangers in the Night’ particularly stands out as one of the most influential live rock albums of all time and is still regarded as a cornerstone in any rock enthusiast’s collection.
In this celebratory album, Michael Schenker presents 11 of UFO’s greatest hits from this magical era with an impressive lineup of guest stars. Joining Schenker on this journey are Derek Sherinian on keys, Brian Tichy on drums, and Barry Sparks on bass.
The stellar roster of guest artists includes Axl Rose, Slash, Kai Hansen, Roger Glover, Joey Tempest, Biff Byford, Jeff Scott Soto, John Norum, Dee Snider, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Adrian Vandenberg, Michael Voss, Stephen Pearcy, and Erik Grönwall.
This album is the introduction to an upcoming trilogy, as Michael Schenker has signed an exclusive three-album deal with earMUSIC, with additional albums to follow in 2025 and 2026.
‘My Ears With Ufos’ will be released worldwide on earMUSIC on September 20th, 2024, and is now available for pre-order at https://schenker.lnk.to/MYWU.
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 ) 