DARKEND‘s new album “Viaticum” is released today, June 13th via Time To Kill Records, and it’s streaming now at No Clean Singing, at THIS LOCATION.
“Viaticum” flows out from the Sacred Spaciousness beyond duality, enshrouding its Silent Nature with the voice of ancient ceremonial chants, dungeon synth ambience and sulphur riffs engraved on arcane metal patterns. Combining shades that span from Mercyful Fate to Dissection (“An Incautious Exhumation Of What Lies Beneath Forgotten Ground”) and from Dead Can Dance (“In Your Multitude”) to Arvo Pärt (“In My Multitude”), the album enlightens an immersive and cathartic pathway towards the deepest hidden fields of who we really are.
Tracklist:
01. In My Multitude 02. An Incautious Exhumation Of What Lies Beneath Forgotten Ground 03. De Masticatione Mortuorum In Tumulis 04. An Ancient Plague Has Silently Worn Our Garments As Its Throne 05. In Your Multitude
DARKEND is the band fronted by Animae (also guest vocalist for GAAHL’S WYRD on various European festivals & venues).
After rather humble beginnings mostly inspired by orchestral extreme metal, DARKEND developed a quite peculiar artistic style blending black metal patterns, ritual ambience, dark classic metal riffs and solos in the vein of Mercyful Fate/Angel Witch and a ritualistic, hypnotic vibe explicitly created in order to generate a deep sonic & spiritual transcendence.
Having toured Europe thrice alongside CRADLE OF FILTH, ROTTING CHRIST, SAMAEL, MELECHESH & KEEP OF KALESSIN, the band had the privilege to collaborate with some of the most renowned artists of the scene: while Attila Csihar (MAYHEM), Niklas Kvarforth (SHINING) & Sakis Tolis (ROTTING CHRIST) offered their voices for “The Canticle Of Shadows” (2016, Non Serviam Records), the profound friendship between Gaahl & Animae bloomed a breathtaking collaboration with WARDRUNA’s Lindy-Fay Hella immortalized on the album “Spiritual Resonance” (2019, Dark Essence Records).
The band displays some intense live rituals under their belt (culminated with an exhibition at the iconic Norwegian MIDGARDSBLOT FEST 2022 alongside WARDRUNA, HELIUNG & ROTTING CHRIST), an experience not to be missed.
Line-up:
Animae – Vocals Acamar – Lead guitars Ashes – Lead guitars Vinterskog – Bass Antarktica – Ambience Valentz – Drums
Danish deathcore maniacs CABAL are back with their new masterpiece ‘Sort Sommer‘. For the new song they teamed up the danish bandFABRÄK and the song is written in danish. It´s probably not the sound you have in mind when you think about CABAL but the guys show once again their boundless creativity and impress with new sounds.
Singer Andreas Bjulver about the new song: “Sort Sommer is a very special track to us as it’s done completely in our native tongue (Danish) and is a track made in collaboration with our good friends in FABRÄK and it sounds very different from what most people would expect from a CABAL track. It’s a track that while exploring some heavy subjects is build around friends having fun and pushing boundaries for their respective genre in the studio.”
He continues about the collabortaion with FABRÄK: “So the collaboration happened since one of the singers used to be a bassplayer in a metal band that was on the same management as cabal so we’ve known each other from the scene since forever, also our bass player is their live guitarist and I live with the other singer, so even though our sounds are quite different this probably the band that we are the most intertwined with.”
Charismatic Dutch singer-songwriter CHARLOTTE WESSELS (ex-DELAIN) returns with a captivating new single, “Chasing Sunsets”. The track, which is at once melancholic and upbeat, highlights her inimitable voice and memorable hooks, complemented by a mesmerizing music video. Taken from her highly anticipated first traditional full-length solo album, The Obsession, set to be released on September 20, 2024 via Napalm Records, this album is promising a storytelling exploration of fear and liberation. Featuring guest appearances by Simone Simons of Epica and Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy, it blends catchy elements with progressive and heavier soundscapes, marking the most significant step in WESSELS’ solo career.
Wessels and her band will bring this story to the stage for a release show on October 4, 2024 at Utrecht’s TivoliVredenburg. In addition, there’ll be some exciting festival appearances this year, and it was recently announced that CHARLOTTE WESSELS will join VOLA on their Friend of a Phantom EU Tour 2024, kicking off November 1st. Don’t miss the chance to undergo this astonishing live experience!
CHARLOTTE WESSELS on the new single and official music video: “When I released the initial version of ´Chasing Sunsets´ on Patreon, it was an instant favorite, and it grew so much since then as we worked on it for the album, I can’t wait to share this track with the world! There’s an underlying theme of self-preservation and greed in the song that we visualized in the music video. I’ve never felt so much like we’re living in the hunger games where parts of the world continue lavish lifestyles while others suffer complete devastation. We worked with this theme in the music video through an artificial beautiful landscape and styling, all staged in a barren space with burning trees.”
While still writing and producing the songs in her Six Feet Under basement home studio and sharing their first incarnations with her patrons, now CHARLOTTE WESSELS is taking the songs off her new album The Obsession to the next level with a band of her fellow ex-DELAIN cohorts Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums) as well as Sophia Vernikov (piano/hammond), contributing to the new heavier sound. The album also features arrangements by Vikram Shankar (Silent Skies, Pain of Salvation), cello by Elianne Anemaat, was mixed by Guido Aalbers (Muse, Coldplay, The Gathering) and mastered by Andy VanDette (Porcupine Tree, VOLA, Dream Theater).
CHARLOTTE WESSELS about the new album: “On the one hand, this album tells a very personal story – through its unintended theme of fear, obsessive thoughts and the escapes from them – and at the same time it represents the joy of finding the song’s true forms with everyone involved in the making of this record. That’s why I chose The Obsession as a title. It refers to my personal challenges with OCD that inspired many of the songs – but I’ve also started referring to the band as The Obsession – because there were moments in the studio with them that truly reminded me of why I’m obsessed with making music in the first place.”
With thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify and a loyal fan base on Patreon, Charlotte Wessels has already made a mark with her earlier solo endeavors, Tales From Six Feet Under (2021) and Tales From Six Feet Under Vol II(2022). Now, she is taking her career to the next level with The Obsession. These compilations showcased her ability to blend various musical styles and deeply personal lyrics, earning her widespread acclaim. The Obsession is expected to build on this foundation, offering fans an even more immersive and powerful musical experience.
Themes like fear, obsessive thoughts and escapism run rampant on the album, presenting dark and heavy on songs like “The Exorcism”, “The Crying Room” and“Ode To The West Wind” (feat. Alissa White-Gluz/Arch Enemy). In addition, there are songs that offer a more upbeat approach to the subject – like “Dopamine” (feat. Simone Simons/Epica) which deals with SSRI-induced numbness, or “Praise” – which sings the gospel of needing external validation in order to feel anything. The reimagining of fan-favorite “Soft Revolution” won’t leave a dry eye in the room, while “Soulstice” and “Serpentine” present an unprecedented dark sensuality. Each song itself functions like an exorcism, an attempt to cast out a little of the fear it deals with.
CHARLOTTE WESSELS about the guests: “I’m extremely grateful and proud to add Simone Simons and Alissa White-Gluz to the line-up of this album. They are creative powerhouses that I have so much love and respect for. Whenever we get to work together is an absolute treat and they really elevated the songs with their performances.”
The Obsession Tracklist: 1. Chasing Sunsets 2. Dopamine 3. The Exorcism 4. Soulstice 5. The Crying Room 6. Ode To The West Wind 7. Serpentine 8. Praise 9. All You Are 10. Vigor And Valor 11. Breathe; 12. Soft Revolution (2024)
CHARLOTTE WESSELS LIVE 2024 17.08.24 NL – Ulft Dru Park / Huntenpop Festival 14.09.24 NL – Rotterdam / Baroeg Open Air 04.10.24 NL – Utrecht / TivoliVredenburg – Ronda
Friend of a Phantom EU Tour 2024 Supporting VOLA 01.11.24 DK – Århus / Voxhall 02.11.24 SE – Gothenburg / Pustervik 03.11.24 NO – Oslo / Vulkan Arena 08.11.24 SE – Stockholm / Fryshuset Klubben 10.11.24 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater 11.11.24 PL – Krakow / Hype Park 13.11.24 CZ – Prague / Meetfactory 14.11.24 AT – Vienna / Flex 15.11.24 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle 16.11.24 CH – Zurich / Komplex 17.11.24 IT – Milan / Live Club 19.11.24 DE – Cologne / Kantine 21.11.24 FR – Paris / Petit Bain 22.11.24 UK – London / Heaven 23.11.24 UK – Nottingham / Rescue Rooms 24.11.24 UK – Glasgow / G2 25.11.24 UK – Manchester / Club Academy 26.11.24 UK – Bristol / SWX 27.11.24 LU – Esch-Sur-Alzette / Rockhal 28.11.24 NL – Eindhoven / Effenaar 29.11.24 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
Icelandic post-rockers SÓLSTAFIR are pleased to now reveal the brand new single, “Hin Helga Kvöl!” Meaning “The Holy Torment,” the new offering conjures up nostalgia as it harkens back to the band’s heavy roots while still layered with thick ambience and deep emotion. The song can be found along with a music video, which was directed by Karl Ágúst Guðmundsson for Polarama, at THIS LOCATION.
“It is a song about dying,” says guitarist/vocalist Aðalbjörn Tryggvason (guitar, vocals). “It is
about the realization that you will die sooner than later and consciously witnessing the end of your own world. It is one’s own personal idea of Ragnarök – or Armageddon. What happens afterwards? Are we reborn or are we simply food for the worms…”
SÓLSTAFIR recently announced signing to Century Media Records. They are no strangers to the music world with their 20+ years of performing across the globe as they consistently amaze audiences with their hearts on their sleeves from the first note. With a full catalog of truly exceptional timeless hits to perform, as well as some much-anticipated new music, the atmospheric Icelandic rock n’ roll sound that is uniquely SÓLSTAFIR always delivers to those who bear witness to their epic sets that take you on a journey through the ice and snow, fire and lava and breathtaking soundscapes of their homeland.
GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT has mesmerized audiences worldwide with their distinctive sonic tapestry both in dynamic live performances and through their recorded works. Amidst their perpetual whirlwind of touring, the Irish trio emerges once more with a freshly crafted studio album, entitled “Embers”, set to release on September 6, 2024, courtesy of Napalm Records!
In support of their upcoming record release, GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT has also announced a busy touring schedule for 2024, with many more shows to be announced soon. Find all dates listed below!
First official single “Falling Leaves”, out now on all digital streaming platforms, is “a reflective voyage through the brevity of our existence, spanning from inception to demise,” according to the band.
Founded by brothers Torsten and Niels Kinsella, the band has once again created an exceptional collection of songs, inviting listeners to explore and interpret it in their own unique ways. “Embers” represents GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT‘s most extensive and grandiose production to date. From the very first note to the lingering resonance of its finale, “Embers” quietly but confidently affirms their mastery of their craft.
From psych- to excellent krautrock trips, driving rhythms by drummer Lloyd Hanney and collaborations with guest musicians including Dara O’Brien, Jo Quail and Sean Coleman further enrich the album’s sonic space, incorporating elements such sitar, cello, zither, shamanic drums, bowed psaltery, chimes and tanpura.
Featuring artwork by the internationally renowned Irish artist David Rooney and mastered by Europe’s foremost mastering engineer Streaky, GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT achieves remarkable heights with their forthcoming progressive, psychedelic and instrumental post-rock opus, “Embers”!
See GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT Live: Aug 1, 2024 – Backstage – Munich, Germany Aug 2, 2024 – Flex – Vienna, Austria Aug 4, 2024 – Rockstadt – Brasov, Romania Aug 6, 2024 – Lublin Radio – Lublin, Poland Aug 7, 2024 – A2 – Wroclaw, Poland Aug 8, 2024- Brutal Assault – Jaromer, Czech Republic Aug 9, 2024 – Kwadrat – Krakow, Poland Aug 10, 2024 – Sziget Festival – Budapest, Hungary Aug 11, 2024 – Randal Club – Bratislava, Slovakia Aug 15, 2024 – Frantic Fest – Francavilla, Italy Aug 16, 2024 – Festa di Radio Onda d’Urto – Brescia, Italy
with many more shows to be announced soon!
GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT is: Torsten Kinsella – Guitar, Piano, Synths, Backing Vocals Niels Kinsella – Bass Lloyd Hanney – Drums
VESTIGE formed during an intense period of individual turmoil. But after vocalist and guitarist Théodore Rondeau and his old Naraka bandmates Pierre-André Krauzer (bassist) and Quentin Regnault (drums) bonded with guitarist Thomas Petit over a shared love for metal innovators like Alcest and Deftones, together, the four-piece embarked on their own journey toward a modern vision of metal that’s both cathartic and crushing.
Last year, Vestige achieved their first milestone by signing with Season of Mist, even though they had yet to release any music. This year, the band have played several shows in their native France, including a recent date with Celeste. Now, people all over the world can hear the first glimmer of their debut album, Janis, with lead single “Deviens la Nuit”.
“‘Deviens La Nuit’ catalyzes everything that Vestige represents in a single piece of music”, Rondeau says. “Between deep melancholy and the violence of realization, it marks the beginning of the journey that is Janis”.
Watch the colorfully strobing video for “Deviens la Nuit”, which was directed by Mathie Ezan (Cult of Luna, Hans Zimmer).
Vestige draw inspiration from modern metal innovators like Alcest and Deftones, but “Deviens la Nuit” encapsulates all the individual pieces that make this band unique. Within the span of 5 minutes, they shift seamlessly from chugging riffs and tortured growls to melodic shoegaze and atmospheric post-metal before closing with a doomy and dissonant, head-banging breakdown. It’s here, within this dark night of the soul, that they bring us to the edge of despair so that we can feel what it’s like to be born anew.
“Cathartic, gentle, violent but enveloping, ‘Deviens La Nuit’ is the transformation and realization of the condition in which Theodore composed it”, Vestige says. “We hope that this song will invite you to experience this introspective journey with us”.
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) 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, and Quentin’s Home Studio (For Drums)
Production Credits Mixed by Geoffrey Bonnifet at his Home Studio Mastered by Acle Khaney at 4D Sounds, Oxfordshire, UK
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
Ads
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 ) 