Finnish melodic hard rock / AOR band Wake The Nations released a new single Bulletproof. The track is taken from the upcoming third studio album Heartageddon which will be released on September 13th 2024 via Inverse Records. A music video is also done and it can be seen below.
The bandcomments: “We hope you all can still fall in love and feel it when being loved! Bulletproof is about a person who cannot… All is just physical, one-night stands, leaving the scene before the Sun rises again, and leaving the broken hearts behind. Too fast to love, my heart says I am bulletproof. If you cannot fall in love, your heart cannot be broken either. True or false? We let you decide, while Risto´s guitar gently weeps. This melody had been in Risto´s desk drawer a long time, so we felt it was time to let it out!!”
South African hardcore/metal band Lower Hollow is thrilled to announce the release of their first single, Somewhere To Belong, from their highly anticipated sophomore album, Threnody: Songs of Fortitude, set to drop on July 19, 2024, via Mongrel Records.
There are few who thrive under the weight of seemingly impossible circumstances, showcasing courage and determination to find restoration, while at the same time reinventing the very fabric and substance of oneself. Lower Hollow is one of those few. Shortly after the release of their debut album Bloom & Expire in 2023, the band faced significant changes with the departure of three founding members. Refusing to let these challenges end their growing career prematurely, the remaining members chose to rethink, rebuild, and stay true to their original vision. The result is a sound that is fast, aggressive, atmospheric, honest, and heartfelt.
Threnody: Songs of Fortitude is the underdog’s anthem and a reflection of the least of us in all of us. It’s anger, rage, hurt, pain, death, loss, and being lost. These songs encapsulate raw moments in life that words alone cannot explain. Yet, within these tracks, there is also discovery, vulnerability, rebirth, and a renewed sense of self and purpose.
When asked about the inspiration for the track drummer and driving force behind the band Ashley De Beer shares, “There’s a lot of mess in the world, a lot of hurt, and a lot of people just overwhelmed by it all. It’s increasingly difficult to keep life on track and in balance, and it’s so easy to feel left behind. For us, especially as a band reinventing who we are, that was an aspect that came across in this song, but also, we felt it is relatable on various levels,”
He adds, “The track discusses moments of feeling out of place, shoved aside, lost, and alone. Sometimes in these moments of isolation, you’re able to grasp onto hope, or even people in your life you sometimes overlooked as being in your corner. There is hope even in the midst of loneliness and loss.”
Lower Hollow is set to embark on a nationwide tour following the album release, bringing their dynamic and powerful live performance to fans across South Africa.
Friday 19th July | Rumours Lounge – Johannesburg Friday 2nd August | Bailey’s – Bedfordview Saturday 3rd August | Railways Cafe – Pretoria Friday 9th August | Robson’s Brewery – Durban Saturday 10th August | The Vern – Howick Saturday 17th August | Old Schute – Bloemfontein Friday 23rd August | The Armchair Theatre – Cape Town Saturday 24th August | Ellington’s – Belville
Black Country Communion, the iconic rock supergroup featuring Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian, proudly announces the release of their fifth studio album, V. Available now on CD and Double LP (180 gram) Cosmic Blue Vinyl at BCC’s official store and all major streaming platforms, the album marks a pivotal moment in the band’s history, showcasing their most ambitious and profound work to date. Watch the music video for the latest single “Letting Go.”
“The writing and recording of Black Country Communion’s ‘V’ was monumental,” shares bassist Glenn Hughes, the voice of rock and a pivotal force behind the album. “We all believe that this could be our finest work. I am looking forward to this album release and hoping to see you all on the great highway in 2024.”
WATCH the music video for the latest single “Letting Go”
V has already begun to make waves in the music community, receiving a perfect score from Rock N Load, which describes it as “a killer album from start to finish, a true testament of what happens when musicians of this caliberget together in a room and thrash it out.” Critics praise the album for its dynamic and powerful sound, affirming Black Country Communion as “a tornado of a band that sonically devastates everything in their way.”
Order New Studio Album ‘V’ from the UK & Europe HERE Order New Studio Album ‘V’ from North America HERE
V features a collection of tracks that resonate with the band’s signature blend of hard rock and soul-stirring blues, from the powerful lyrics and profound musical composition of Red Sun, to the electrifying single “Enlighten” and the funk-heavy “Stay Free.” Penned by Hughes and Bonamassa, each song takes listeners on a journey, weaving a narrative of power, introspection, and revival.
Since their debut in 2010, Black Country Communion has consistently delivered critically acclaimed albums, masterfully blending British blues-rock with American soul to captivate audiences around the globe. Produced by their long-time collaborator Kevin Shirley, their latest release, ‘V,’ reaffirms their status as rock royalty. This album captures the band’s dynamic sound and evolving artistic expression, celebrating their journey, talent, and enduring vision.
Album cover artwork by Hugh Syme
CD Track Listing: 1. Enlighten 2. Stay Free 3. Red Sun 4. Restless 5. Letting Go 6. Skyway 7. You’re Not Alone 8. Love And Faith 9. Too Far Gone 10. The Open Road
Vinyl Track Listing: Side A Enlighten Stay Free Red Sun
Side B Restless Letting Go Skyway You’re Not Alone
Side C Love And Faith Too Far Gone The Open Road Side D (BONUS Live tracks from Wolverhampton) Sway (Live) Save Me (Live) Wanderlust (Live)
About Black Country Communion BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION is a powerhouse supergroup fusing the incredible talents of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), Joe Bonamassa (Blues Rock Legend), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Foreigner) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo). Their brand of earth-shattering rock is heavily influenced by both British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock music. The reputation they have cultivated after 15 years since their inception, not only as amazing songwriters, but as a powerful live act, is only exceeded by their dedication to their craft and willingness to challenge each other to make the best music imaginable.
Swiss Shamanic Ritual Folk artist CHALBÄRÄ – deeply personal and spiritual project of the Swiss musician Pirmin ‘Piri’ Betschart from the picturesque Muotathal – has released his new single ‘Äschä stübt mee’.
“Äschä stübt mee” (Ashes stir up more dust) is a poignant song in Swiss German that deals with the profound effects of a departed soul whose remains have turned to ashes.
The lyrics deal with the paradoxical notion that the memory of a deceased loved one can trigger more emotion and turmoil than their continued existence.
The song captures the emotional complexity of loss, particularly in the context of the songwriter’s father who took his own life.
Pirmin ‘Piri’ Betschart processes the profound loss of his father through suicide and the shocking discovery. The songwriter weaves emotions that reflect the turbulent and complex feelings surrounding death and its aftermath.
The RITUAL FOLK song becomes a cathartic exploration of the impact of loss and emphasizes the enduring power of memory even in the face of tragic circumstances.
CHALBÄRÄ combines Nordic shamanic Folk sounds with the raw, unique dialect of Muotathal, a traditional Swiss mountain village. After a transformative 10-day dark retreat, Piri began the CHALBÄRÄ project. [ learn more here ]
LINE-UP: Pirmin ‘Piri’ Betschart • Vocals, all instruments
France’s STONE HORNS unleashed their third studio album “Chimaira”, this past January on Rockshots Records. Featuring seven groove-laden hell-bent tracks, the full-length tells the story of an odyssey of being rejected by all and thirsting for revenge. It explores life’s thirst for recognition, whatever its form. Through its various acts, the story continues in different states, colors, and landscapes. A raw, merciless finality that leaves little room for breath in this torment of violence. We’re all chasing a chimera, but isn’t it the chimera that’s chasing us? That’s the question this album tries to answer, combining freshness and warmth, violence and peace, waves, and digressions.
With their headbanging groove, this third studio offering “Chimaira” is a culmination of all the band’s experiments to date. This is the band’s most accomplished album to date, both in terms of composition and production. The band’s long-time fans will be satisfied, but they also hope to bring in new fans with this record, with a slightly more modern production. Each track has its own universe on this full length, but it’s also part of a whole, because like their previous albums, “Chimaira” is a concept album.
“There’s something for every metal taste and color. The aim of this album is for fans of every sub-genre of metal to be able to say to themselves at some point when listening to it: “I really like that beat”. “Chimaira” is a bit like the child of “The Beast Inside” (2018) and “Rise of Apophis” (2021)”. says the band.
Today, the band is sharing their latest music video for “Grasping the Embers of Exile”, the longest track on the album and in the entire Stone Horns’ catalog. It is a brutal, hypnotic opening adventure that sets the tone for what’s to come. Probably the most melodic and progressive track on the record, it’s an ambitious composition reminiscent of some Machine Head pieces, punctuated by a magnificent solo.
Recommended listening for fans of Machine Head, Devildriver, Slipknot, Lamb of God, and Jinjer, Stone Horns’ third full-length is available from Rockshots Records on CD at https://bit.ly/ChimairaCD and digitally at https://lnk.to/stonehorns.
Track Listing: 1. Grasping the Embers of Exile – 7:51 2. No Mercy – 3:58 3. Terra Genesis – 3:31 4. Age of Chimairas – 4:10 5. Chrysalis – 4:52 6. In the Clutches of the Abyss – 5:29 7. Echoes of a Fallen Empire – 5:24 Album Length: 35:18
Album Credits: Music: David Viard, Antoine Roszak, Mathis Lakermance, Damien Servais Lyrics: David Viard Guitars: Mathis Lakermance, Damien Servais, Antoine Roszak Bass: Antoine Roszak, David Viard Drums : Maël Taguelmint Vocals: David Viard Production, Antoine Roszak, David Viard Mix and Mastering, Antoine Roszak Covers & Arts : David Viard, helped by IA Cover « Age of Chimairas » : Mrdrfckr Art and David Viard
‘Down in Flames’ is the new single from FORLORN HOPE and is based on the real life story of Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson during the Battle of Britain in World War II. Accompanied by a visually striking lyric video, the song features on the group’s upcoming EP, ‘Valour – Part I’, released on August 30th 2024.
The ‘Valour – Part I’ EP is the first part of ‘Valour’, the second full-length album from Forlorn Hope. ‘Valour’ tells the stories of fifteen Victoria Cross winning actions from Crimea to the Second World War; stories of sacrifice, determination and derring do on land, sea and in the air. It is a saga in equal parts thrilling, horrific and heart-breaking that explores not just the exploits of these extraordinary men, but the myriad and diverse conflicts in which they fought.
‘Down in Flames’ is a blazing, full-throttle anthem that tells the story of Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson’s actions during the Battle of Britain, which earned him the only Victoria Cross awarded to Fighter Command during the Second World War. On 16 August 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain, James Brindley Nicolson became the only Fighter Command pilot to earn the Victoria Cross in the Second World War; refusing to abandon his burning Hawker Hurricane until he had shot down the Messerschmitt below him.
The stories featured on the upcoming EP and covered by the ‘Valour’ project overall, are incredibly moving stories. Stories that immediately captured the attention and passion of dedicated band researcher, vocalist and lyricist Chris Simpson, and the band sought to tell them as faithfully as possible, in their own unique way, so as to give these incredible tales of bravery the full attention they deserve. From lesser known actions to some of the most iconic actions in the history of the award, Forlorn Hope wanted to bring these tales into the public consciousness. From tragic sacrifice, selfless bravery and bold derring-do, on land, at sea and in the air; the scope of the ‘Valour’ project covers more than a century of conflict spanning the globe and brings the lesser known stories to light, whilst approaching already well known tales with a fresh angle.
‘Valour – Part I’ was recorded and produced at Whitewood Studios in Liverpool, by engineer Daniel Woodward, and was mixed and mastered by producer and guitarist (Sellsword) James Stephenson. The album artwork was created by the band’s long time collaborator, artist Mitchell Nolte. The band’s new logo was designed by graphic designer, Mark Sutcliffe. ‘Down In Flames’ lyric video was produced by Very Metal Art.
‘Valour – Part I’ is released on August 30th 2024.
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 