DECIMATOR Sign with Wormholedeath for Crushing New Album “Til The Enemies Are Gone”

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 23, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Prepare for sonic warfare! Australian heavy metal juggernaut Decimator has inked a deal with Wormholedeath Records for the release of their earth-shattering album “Til The Enemies Are Gone”, dropping on October 4th, 2024.

Decimator, founded by Lance Holland-Keen and Mike Le Macchia in January 2021 out of their mutual love for thrash and old-school metal, originates from South/West Sydney, Australia. Despite navigating COVID lockdowns and lineup changes, the band played their inaugural live show in September 2022 with Lance on guitar and vocals, Mike on guitar, Bon Lowe on drums, and John Montibeler on bass.

Shortly after their debut, John faced a medical issue, leading to Kim Ross briefly filling in before Coen Winchester joined permanently, mastering the set in just one month. The lineup of Lance, Mike, Bon, and Coen went on to perform shows in October and November 2022. By December, Ethan Reeves replaced Mike on guitar.

Their album “Til the Enemies Are Gone” was recorded in a day session at Powell Lane Studios, Coogee, NSW, Australia in September 2023, yielding nine tracks. Originally intending “Warriors” as their debut single in 2022, the band opted for “Killdozer” as their 2024 release, featuring songs composed by a lineup that initially performed together only once.

Embracing a DIY ethos akin to old-school metal, Decimator’s album explores themes of human emotion, suffering, mental health, loss, historical references, and contemporary events through Lance’s lyrics.

The band returns to the studio in July for a double single, featuring an early composition and a new recording of “Warriors.” They plan to record a full album of fresh material in late 2024/early 2025 for release in early 2025, showcasing the current four-piece lineup exclusively.

Tracklisting:

  1. Burn The Truth
  2. The Rock
  3. Legions
  4. Phantoms
  5. Blackened Skies
  6. The Blade
  7. Decimator
  8. Killdozer

Join the Decimator legion and witness the crushing power of “Killdozer” Music Video:

The narrative is loosely based on the events leading to Marvin Heemeyer’s suicide after the “Killdozer” episode in the town of Granby. The story became quite well known and there are plenty of other musical tributes – but this one is ours and ours alone!

Decimator Line-Up:
Lance Holland-Keen – Guitars/Lead Vocals
Bon Lowe – Drums/Backing Vocals
Coen Winchester – Bass/Backing Vocals
Ethan Reeves – Guitars/Backing Vocals

Stay connected with Decimator:
www.facebook.com/DecimatorBandAustralia
www.instagram.com/decimatorbandaustralia
decimator1.bandcamp.com/music
www.youtube.com/@decimatorbandaustralia568

GLACIAL TOMB Release New Single And Music Video ‘Stygian Abattoir’

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 23, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photographer credit: Frank Guerra

Denver, CO sludge-corrupted death metal trio, GLACIAL TOMB has today shared a new song and accompanying music video, Stygian Abattoir. Stygian Abattoir is the second single to be taken from GLACIAL TOMB‘s forthcoming sophomore album, Lightless Expanse, which is set for release via Prosthetic Records on September 20.

Stream Stygian Abattoir via Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer, Bandcamp and Spotify.
Pre-order Lightless Expanse here.

Speaking on Stygian Abattoir, GLACIAL TOMB vocalist / guitarist Ben Hutcherson comments: “We knew that Stygian Abattoir was the album opener after the first time we played it. It’s fast. It’s unrelenting. It is an amuse-bouche of blastbeats and death growls that gives the listener an overview of the record without showing our hand completely. I wanted to make sure that the lyrics established a thematic foundation for the rest of the album while also being as direct and unrelenting as the music, hence the line “mankind is a disease.””

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:

Fall North American tour
September 14 – Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN (Heavy Hell w/ Coven, Internal Bleeding, more)
September 15 – Al’s Bar – Lexington, KY
September 16 – Sanctuary – Detroit, MI (w/ Deicide, Krisiun, Inferi, Cloak)
September 17 – Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
September 18 – Woodshop – Brooklyn, NY
September 19 – Empire Underground – Albany, NY (New England Metal and Hardcore Fest pre-party w/ Rivers of Nihil & Wretched)
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

DRAKKAR Announce Guests for Upcoming “Spread Your Wings” Album

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 23, 2024
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Legendary Italian metal titans DRAKKAR have announced the guest artists on their hightly anticipated upcoming album “Spread Your Wings”: Daniele Ferru (Drums), Johannes Frykholm (Keyboards) and Michael Stavrakakis (Lead Vocals on “Ancestral River”).

“Spread Your Wings” is set to be released worldwide starting September 27th via Punishment 18 Records. The artwork was created by Alessandro Bragalini (Ephyra, Eregion).

“Spread Your Wings” tracklisting:
Thunderhead
Spread Your Wings
Knife In The Dark
Ode To Polaris
A Man In Black
Forged In Fire
Stand By You
Shields Of The Brave
Ancestral River

– Drakkar –
https://drakkarofficial.bandcamp.com
– Punishment 18 Records –
http://www.punishment18records.com
http://www.facebook.com/punishment18records

KINGCROW Stream New Album “Hopium” Ahead of Release

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 22, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Riccardo Nifosì

KINGCROW are maestros of progressive rock. For the past two decades, the Italian band have flown at the forefront of Italy’s progressive metal scene. But on the band’s new album, Hopium, they dive down a rabbit hole into a world where dreams are just illusions.

Hopium comes out tomorrow, Friday, August 23 on Season of Mist. But you can listen to all nine high-flying songs today by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel. 

Pre-order & pre-save at https://orcd.co/kingcrowhopium

Hopium is full of desire yet mixed with the bittersweet taste of longing. Produced by guitarist/keyboardist Diego Cafolla alongside his brother and drummer Thundra Cafolla, the album ranges from dark introspection to joyous crescendos.

Lead single “Kintsugi” draws from the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a hard-grooving riff, while “Night Drive” is an eerily hypnotic thriller that’s the perfect soundtrack for a dark night of the soul. The title track and closing number ends the album on a high note, weaving together progressive rock, ambient and metal music into a gripping tale about societal illusions.   

With Hopium, Kingcrow demonstrate showcase their effortless command of dynamic range and raw emotion.

Cover Art by Devilnax

“Hopium is packed with great music, start to finish…This one is essential” – Progressive Music Planet

“Bands like Kingcrow just don’t get the attention they deserve…This album continues their tradition of excellence” – The Prog Mind

“Kingcrow’s Hopium is definitely a candidate for the best prog album of 2024” – Velvet Thunder UK

“Kingcrow confirm themselves as true champions of this style with an extraordinary album” – Rock Hard IT

Tracklist1. Kintsugi (3:53) [WATCH]
2. Glitch (3:56)
3. Parallel Lines (6:46)
4. New Moon Harvest (3:30)
5. Losing Game (5:28)
6. White Rabbit’s Hole (6:55)
7. Night Drive (5:48) [WATCH]
8. Vicious Circle (4:21)
9. Hopium (8:24) [WATCH]
10. Come Through (Bonus Track) (4:21)
Total runtime: 53:27

The first incarnation of the band  was originally founded in Rome, Italy, by brothers Diego Cafolla (guitars) and Manuel Thundra Cafolla (drums) under the name of “Earth Shaker”.

Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “Raven” and driven by a will of change, the band’s name was soon altered into KINGCROW and a couple of self-produced demos/albums where recorded under the KINGCROW moniker: Something Unknown(2001), Insider (2004) and Timetropia (2006).

In the early months of 2010 the band finished recording their new album “Phlegethon” that was released in June of the same year under the “Scarlet Records” label.

It was considered on an international level as a relevant masterpiece and was classed as one of the elite progressive metal albums of the year. It has been near the top of the “album of the year” charts in some international prog-rock websites. Phlegethon promotion lasted for about two years and a half.

During the same year, the band recorded the new album “In Crescendo” that was released in February 2013 by the American label “Sensory Records.

The band toured  along with Pain Of Salvation in North America  in April and May, 2013. In 2015 the band released the album “Eidos” and toured Europe as Headliners. Meanwhile KINGCROW signed a management deal with GlassVille Music, house of very well known progressive acts like Pain Of Salvation and Riverside among others.

The band recorded the new album titled “The Persistence”.

The album was released on September 7th via Sensory Records and received great reviews and ended on a lot of “best of 2018” lists on magazines and webzines.

The upcoming album “Hopium” marks another step forward in pushing boundaries remarking the restless progressive  attitude of the band in incorporating countless influences into a personal sound.

Describing the band today is quite a difficult task, but one could state that the influence of different kinds of music, from progressive rock , ambient music, alternative rock and metal are all present in the music of KINGCROW.

With each release KINGCROW has taken a step further away from their original roots and is regarded today as one of the most exciting bands that Italy has to offer.

Line-up
Diego Marchesi – Vocals
Diego Cafolla – Guitars, Keys, Backing Vocals
Ivan Nastasi – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Riccardo Nifosì – Bass, Backing Vocals
Thundra – Drums, Percussions

Recording Studio
Sound Under Pressure (Rome, Italy)

Production Credits
Produced by Diego Cafolla & Thundra Cafolla
Sound Engineer – Diego Cafolla

Mixed by Giampiero Ulacco at Holofram Studios (Francavilla al Mare, Italy)

Mastered by Marco Vannucci at Spitfire Mastering Studio (Italy)

Guest Musicians
Vikram Shankar – Piano solo on “Hopium”

Official Website: https://www.kingcrow.it/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Kingcrowband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingcrow_official/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/KingcrowBand
Bandcamp: https://kingcrow1.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3nnSgQo8TIgiO5M5pv3mlV
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kingcrow/594989536
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/1002506
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/6519112

IOTUNN to Release “Kinship” Full-Length Album on October 25th, New Video / Single ‘I Feel The Night’ Now Playing

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 22, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Nikolaj Bransholm

Danish/Faroese progressive metal outfit IOTUNN will unleash their second full-length album, Kinship, on October 25th through Metal Blade Records.

IOTUNN‘s Kinship is a massive album arising from the primeval sea. It’s a mythological journey through eight tracks that span immense spheres both musically and lyrically, exploring the deep roots of human nature, its connection and disconnection with everything and everyone, and how our choices have always defined ourselves and the lives lived.

Notes guitarist Jesper Gräs, “The creation of Kinship has been the most extensive and wild journey we’ve ever been part of. Like trekking up the Galdhøpiggen mountain in Norway, we have crossed peak after peak and seen things continuously brighter and wider until we reached the top, the end. Never have we been prouder and more pleased, and we hope our fans – old and new – will take this album into their hearts and let it unfold from there.”

Set in primeval time, Kinship unfolds the story of a tribesman who is part of a prehistoric tribe. It tells the story of life’s many conditions as themes of unity/disunity, light/dark, body/mind, nature/culture, good/evil, creation/destruction, and human/inhuman unfold throughout the album.

“Everything is related, everything has an impact, and we all must find our ways to our true selves and true freedoms in our choices in this interconnectedness of everything,” elaborates vocalist Jón Aldará. “The album explores themes of conformity versus following your own path and the consequences your choices have for relationships. It is also a consideration of the mind-body connection; especially with regards to how you interact within yourself, how you are influenced and controlled by the arenas of life and the interaction with nature. All this influences your identity, your choices, and your individuality.”

In advance of the record’s release, today the band unveils lead single, “I Feel The Night.” Comments Jesper Gräs,”‘I Feel The Night’ is the result of many years searching for a certain kind of song. Big lyrical and musical storylines of songs such as ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ ‘Child In Time,’ and ‘Fade To Black’ – to mention a few – have been at the core of inspiration for IOTUNN and we searched to make our song full of dynamics, feelings, and huge storytelling. This is ‘I Feel The Night.’ Lots of atmosphere and lots of heaviness.”

Adds Jens Nicolai Gräs, “When Jesper came up with the two core ideas that the entire first half of the song builds on, it was clear that we should make a song with a mellow verse and heavy chorus. I really enjoy the tone in this song. Then, for the last part of the song, it just kept expanding in the creative process but with the final part everything seemed to reach its natural final breath.”

The artwork and art pieces of Kinship were created by the ink and graphite illustrator and artist, Saprophial (Hammers Of Misfortune), with the design and layout created by art director Brian Ames at Metal Blade Records. Kinship was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios Denmark (Arch Enemy, Katatonia, The Black Dahlia Murder, Volbeat, Týr).

Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/iotunn

Kinship Track Listing:
01. Kinship Elegiac
02. Mistland
03. Twilight
04. I Feel the Night
05. The Coming End
06. Iridescent Way
07. Earth to Sky
08. The Anguished Ethereal

IOTUNN Live:
8/25/2024 Turock – Essen, DE w/ Insomnium
8/30/2024 Brynerocken – Bryne, NO
8/31/2024 John Dee – Oslo, NO w/ Insomnium
9/13/2024 Copenhagen Metal Fest – Copenhagen, DK
4/05/2025 Epic Fest – Roskilde, DK

IOTUNN:
Jón Aldará – vocals
Jens Nicolai Gräs – guitar
Jesper Gräs – guitar
Eskil Rask – bass
Bjørn Wind Andersen – drums

https://www.facebook.com/iotunn
https://www.instagram.com/iotunn
https://iotunn.bandcamp.com

ATHENA XIX Announce New Album “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity”, New Video/Single ‘Frames Of Humanity’ Out Now

Posted by metalshockfinland on August 22, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo credit: Damiano Tarantino

Italian cult progressive five-piece ATHENA XIX, led by Fabio Lione (ANGRA, ex-RHAPSODY OF FIRE, a.o.), will release their fourth studio album “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” on October 25, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The new record is the first part of a concept inspired by the sci-fi and dystopian visions of such cinematic masterpieces such as “Strange Days,”“The Matrix,”“Transcendence” and “Sunshine.” It tells a story which blends ecological consciousness and moral ethics, control of the masses and indiscriminate technological progress.

Today the band unveil also a new single ‘Frames Of Humanity.’ With skillfully carved melodies and an intricately sophisticated yet modern feeling this song really has it all.

Fabio Lione recalls, “This is one of the first songs we wrote for this record. Actually this is the finale of the first part of the concept. We start this album and history with it, like a flashback. Very deep, melancholic and gloomy somehow – this is the perfect introduction to the concept!”

Listen to ‘Frames Of Humanity’ here: https://athenaxix.rpm.link/framesPR

“Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” is not meant to be a simple summary of a highly-articulated narrative, but represents music inspired by unstoppable creativity, a tenacious desire to experiment, and the ability to perfectly embody the Zeitgeist of our time.

“I think this record will surprise a lot of people,” states frontman and founding member Lione. “Even today “A New Religion?” is considered the best Italian prog metal album by many people, and “Everflow” marks a massive evolution of our sound. We worked hard on it, also to give each song a particular cut which is consistent with the articulated story of the concept.”

The album will be released as digipak CD, synchro green 2-LP vinyl, and digitally.

Pre-orders are available here: https://athenaxix.rpm.link/everflowpt1PR

“Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” was produced, recorded and mixed by Gabriele Guidi, Fabio Lione and Simone Pellegrini. The stunning cover artwork was created by book and music cover artist Dusan Markovic.

“Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” – Track Listing:

  1. Frames Of Humanity
  2. Legacy Of The World
  3. The Day We Obscured The Sun
  4. The Seed
  5. I Wish [feat. Roy Khan]
  6. The Calm Before The Storm
  7. What You Most Desire
  8. The Conscience Of Everything
  9. Where Innocence Disappears
  10. Idle Mind
  11. Synchrolife
  12. Inception
  13. The Departure

More from “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity”:
‘The Conscience Of Everything’ OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21sfWvN9dok

About ATHENA XIX

Originating in 1991, ATHENA released their most successful album to date, “A New Religion?,” in 1998 – still recognised and appropriately rewarded as the best prog metal album of an Italian band ever. The original band members finally re-united in 2019 — after several line-up changes and a hiatus — writing the new album “Everflow Part 1: Frames Of Humanity” which will be released on October 25, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). ATHENA XIX shake the stagnant contemporary power/prog metal scene to its foundations, pushing far beyond the boundaries of the genre.

ATHENA XIX are:
Fabio Lione | vocals
Simone Pellegrini | guitars
Gabriele Guidi | keyboards
Alessio Sabella | bass
Matteo Amoroso | drums

More on ATHENA XIX:
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | RPM