Niji Entertainment & BMG Announce DIO’s “The Complete Donington Collection”, Out July 19th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 10, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

On July 19th, Niji Entertainment & BMG will release The Complete Donington Collection, a Limited Edition 5LP boxset housing Dio’s classic Donington ’83 and Donington ’87 performances at the Donington Festival in the UK, both on 2LP 180gr vinyl with an etching on Side D, as well as the limited Picture Disc Double Dose of Donington ’83 & ’87.

Wendy Dio says, “Fond memories of sitting on the grass and watching the bands play. This is an amazing Collection. 1983 when Ronnie had just recently formed the Dio Band and again in 1987. Ronnie always enjoyed playing in Britain, he loved the audiences and the beer!”

PRE-ORDER NOW

DIO AT DONINGTON ‘83 captures the original DIO lineup on the HOLY DIVER TOUR and captures a young, hungry band 3 months after the release of their debut album. The set features classic tracks from Ronnie James Dio’s already amazing career as vocalist for Rainbow and Black Sabbath, alongside soon to be classics like “Holy Diver”, “Rainbow In The Dark”, and “Stand Up And Shout”.

Following three hugely successful studio albums and silver, gold, and platinum certifications around the world, DIO AT DONINGTON ’87 captures the DREAM EVIL line up, and features such classics as “The Last In Line”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children,” and “All The Fools Sailed Away”.

Additionally, both discs contain killer renditions of both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH classics, including “Man On The Silver Mountain”, “Neon Knights”, “Stargazer”, and “Heaven and Hell”, among others.

As the singer of Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell, and his own band, Ronnie James Dio is often considered to be one of rock’s all-time great vocalists, who sadly passed away in 2010, after battling stomach cancer. However, Dio’s music continues to connect with the masses – the official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page has over 2.5 million followers, his music on Spotify receives over 3 million monthly listeners, and in the most recent season of the hit Netflix series, STRANGER THINGS, the popular character Eddie Munson sports a large “DIO” patch on the back of his beloved denim jacket.

DIO AT DONINGTON ’83

Personnel:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
Vivian Campbell – Guitar
Jimmy Bain – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums
Claude Schnell – Keyboards

Tracklist:

SIDE A
1. Stand Up And Shout
2. Straight Through The Heart
3. Children Of The Sea

SIDE B
4. Rainbow In The Dark
5. Holy Diver
6. Drum Solo
7. Stargazer
8. Guitar Solo

SIDE C
9. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Starstruck
12. Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)

SIDE D
DIO Vinyl Art Etching

DIO AT DONINGTON ‘87

Personnel:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals 
Craig Goldy – Guitar
Jimmy Bain – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums 
Claude Schnell – Keyboards

Tracklist:

SIDE A
1. Dream Evil
2. Neon Knights
3. Naked In The Rain

SIDE B
4. Rock And Roll Children
5. Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll
6. The Last In Line
7. Children Of The Sea
8. Holy Diver

SIDE C
9. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. All The Fools Sailed Away
12. The Last In Line (Reprise)
13. Rainbow In The Dark

SIDE D
DIO Vinyl Art Etching

DOUBLE DOSE OF DONINGTON TRACKLIST (PICTURE DISC)
SIDE A
1. Stand Up And Shout (Live From Donington 1983)

SIDE B
1. Rock And Roll Children (Live From Donington 1987)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
ronniejamesdio.com
facebook.com/OfficialRonnieJamesDio
twitter.com/OfficialRJDio
instagram.com/_ronniejamesdio

DARK FUNERAL Celebrate 30 Years of Raw Power with Reworked Debut Album, Shares ‘Open The Gates (Re-Recording 2024)’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 9, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Swedish black metal icons DARK FUNERAL are celebrating three decades of blasphemy with a re-worked version of their debut album! ‘Dark Funeral (30th Anniversary Edition)’ is due on August 9 via Century Media Records and has been remixed by David Castillo and re-mastered once again by Thomas “Plec” Johansson. To celebrate the release and to give fans a taste of the new sonics, the band is now sharing the first re-recorded single, “Open the Gates,” along with a visualizer! The clip, which was created by 12 Inch Media, can be found HERE. DARK FUNERAL guitarist and original member Lord Ahriman comments, “In January 1994, Blackmoon (RIP) and I put our entire income and savings into a recording session and pressing 1,000 copies of our 4-track debut Mini-CD. A Mini-CD we released ourselves too. 

“To now reach the significant milestone with an epic 30th anniversary is of course very honorable for me & the band. Three decades of Swedish Black Metal filled with precious memories. 

“It is now time for us to reflect on what started it all, a 30-year epic journey, filled with experiences and an unbreakable bond. And in this honor, we have breathed new life into these legendary songs & given them an honest but modern update. Enjoy!“ 

Find rare material from the band’s ominous beginnings in 1994 — an ultimate rendition and must-have for devoted disciples of darkness! Pre-Order this exclusive collector’s edition HERE

Dark Funeral (30th Anniversary Edition) Tracklist:

  1. Open The Gates [WATCH]
  2. Shadows Over Transylvania
  3. My Dark Desires
  4. In The Sign Of The Horns
  5. Open The Gates (Re-Recording 2024)
  6. Shadows Over Transylvania (Re-Recording 2024)
  7. My Dark Desires (Re-Recording 2024)
  8. In The Sign Of The Horns (Re-Recording 2024)

Dark Funeral line-up (1994):
Lord Ahriman – Guitars
Blackmoon – Guitars
Draugen – Drums
Themgoroth – Bass & Vocals

Dark Funeral line-up (2024):
Lord Ahriman – Guitars
Heljarmadr – Vocals
Chaq Mol – Guitars
Jalomaah – Drums
Adra-Melek – Bass

Music & Lyrics by Blackmoon & Lord Ahriman
1994 Recordings & Mixes by Dan Swanö, Mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson
2024 Recordings & Mixes by David Castillo, Mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson
Video Production by 12 Inch Media
Artwork: Blackmoon & Lord Ahriman

Album Formats:

  • CD Jewelcase
  • Limited hand-numbered Transparent Blue-Black Marbled 180g Vinyl
  • Limited hand-numbered Clear Smoke Marbled 180g Vinyl (US EDITION)
  • Strictly Limited hand-numbered transparent Blue-Black Marbled 180g Vinyl including signed Art Print – Only 300 copies worldwide (Century Media Exclusive)
  • Digital Album

More info: Official Website – Instagram – TikTok – Facebook – X – YouTube – Spotify – Apple Music

VA ROCKS Present New Single ‘Hard Times’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 9, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

VA ROCKS have released their new single ‘Hard Times’. The song is available from all major streaming providers and can be listened to here Hard Times (youtube.com).

While the title might give the impression of it being a downer, something bluesy and sad, the song itself is the opposite. “Hard Times” is a melodic upbeat tune with both Ida Vollmer (lead singer/rhythm guitarist) and Cim Dahlle (lead guitarist) on lead vocals. With a catchy refrain and the sing-along friendly backing vocals, it will get you in that free falling road trip spirit. Definitely something for your summer rock n’ roll playlist! 

WEBSITE: https://www.varocksofficial.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/VAROCKSswe
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/varocksofficial/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@varocks5466

KRYPTOS Drop ‘Sirens of Steel’ Lyric Video from Upcoming Album; All Upcoming Live Shows Cancelled Due to Stolen Gear

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 9, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo: Vishal Dey]

This summer, on July 5, 2024, India’s heavy metal powerhouse KRYPTOS unleashes their furious, new studio offering Decimator via AFM Records. In support of their forthcoming album, the band was gearing up for a series of live dates in Europe as well as their first-ever headlining tour in Australia, which has now been postponed to 2025. Read the devastating news and statement from KRYPTOS here:

“Metalheads and touring bands, watch out! Our guitars, pedalboards, drumkit and other stage equipment was stolen by our Czech tourvan driver in May 2024! He took our gear and sold them to a pawn shop in Prague for next to nothing. Despite his full written confession to the Czech police, and despite us filing numerous reports, there seems to be no action whatsoever. He walks free while we’re stuck in a major financial hole due to the massive costs we had to bear to keep the Electrify Europe tour going, and to cover the loss of our beloved gear. We’re not the kind of band to ask for a handout but we welcome all support! Make sure you head to the AFM Records store and grab a copy of our upcoming studio album DECIMATOR, or head to our Bandcamp and pick up some of the merch we have for sale. We’re battered and bruised but we’re not down for the count. We’ll never give up and heavy metal will never die! We’ll be back on the road soon enough, but until then, play our music loud!”

You can support the band via the AFM Records shop at: https://shop.afm-records.de/kryptos/ or via their Bandcamp on: https://kryptosindia.bandcamp.com/

A lyric video for their new single, the album opening track “Sirens of Steel” (out now on all digital providers via https://kryptos.bfan.link/sirens-of-steel ) is premiering here:

KRYPTOS, formed in 1998 in Bangalore, India, have long been considered one of the spearheads of the Indian heavy metal revolution. With six critically acclaimed albums under their belt, they have supported some of metal’s biggest names, like Iron Maiden, Testament, Kreator, Exodus and many more, earning themselves a reputation as a fiery and exciting live act.

The band released their debut album ‘Spiral Ascent’ in 2004 and ‘The Ark of Gemini’ in 2008 before heading out on their first European tour in 2010, making them the first Indian heavy metal band to do so. After signing with AFM Records in 2012, the band unleashed four more frenetically-acclaimed studio albums, are a welcome live act at Wacken Open Air and played their first, extensive European headline tours, including numerous sold-out shows in Scandinavia and central Europe.

Their high-voltage, seventh album Decimator continues where the band left of with their critically-acclaimed, 2021-album ‘Force Of Danger’, and sees them combine crushing riffs, barbwire vocals and powerful songwriting that grabs the 80s by the throat and drags it kicking and screaming into the modern age. If you’re a fan of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept and Kreator, this album will snap your neck in half and have you raging into the night like you’ve never raged before! 

As frontman Nolan Lewis recently revealed, “Decimator is without question our finest hour so far. We’ve sharpened our songwriting to a razor point and the album is absolutely exploding with pure heavy metal power and attitude. Once you’ve popped it into your stereo, you’re going to be raising your fist, air-guitaring to the riffs and humming the solos all year long. It’s as perfect a combination of classic 80s metal and caustic thrash sensibilities as you’re ever going to get!”

Pre-Order Decimator HERE

Album Tracklist:

  1. Sirens of Steel
  2. Fall to the Spectre’s Gaze
  3. Turn Up the Heat
  4. Electrify
  5. Solaris
  6. Decimator
  7. In the Shadow of the Blade
  8. Pathfinder
  9. We Are the Night

KRYPTOS is:
Nolan Lewis (vocals, rhythm guitar)
Rohit Chaturvedi (lead guitar)
Vijit Singh (drums)

For More Info Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/KryptosIndia
https://www.instagram.com/kryptosindia
https://kryptos.bfan.link/decimator

NUMENTO Release Third Full Length Album “The Antimatter Fantasy”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 9, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photographer: Kai Lukander

The new album, “The Antimatter Fantasy” continues and develops the band’s trademark musical style. Numento’s unique sound seamlessly combines the brutality and aggression of extreme metal with catchy ethereal melodies. Numento stands out with the phenomenally diverse vocal styles, ranging from operatic to death metal growls. The new album features finnish traditional instrument, kantele, on half of the tracks. The album was produced and mixed by German producer Chris Herrle, whose hands carefully honed the structures and sounds of the songs to make them as hard-hitting as possible. By working with international professionals, the album takes a great leap forward in the band’s production level.

The album title “The Antimatter Fantasy” refers to a fantasy leading to immense destruction, and to a world of thought in which all suffering inflicted on others is justified. Dictators, cult leaders and other pathological personalities have to believe that they are so important and special that they can do anything, as long as their own power and ego are secured. The theme of the album thus continues to explore the nature of evil begun on “The Vile Entity” (2022), but “The Antimatter Fantasy” also reflects the state of the world today and reflects more deeply on the consequences of evil. The album, however, also has a hopeful note, reminding that it is possible to break free from the grip of evil.

Listen to the album on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal etc.): https://push.fm/fl/numento-theantimatterfantasy

The album’s artwork was again done by the band’s guitarist Aleksi Vehmassalo, and a special mention should be made of the hand-animated music video for the song “Opilion”, which took a whole year to make. The other music videos were made by Kai Lukander (photography, editing) and Aleksi Vehmassalo (script, editing).

Tracklist

  1. Equinox
  2. Opilion
  3. The Solipsist
  4. Gargantua
  5. Singularity
  6. Timetrap
  7. Elevate
  8. The Dark Web

Numento:
Atte Asikainen – guitar & backing vocals
Katri Hiovain-Asikainen – vocals & kantele
Simo Mattila – bass
Aleksi Vehmassalo – guitar
Mikko Virtanen – drums

https://www.facebook.com/numentofin
https://www.instagram.com/numentoband/
https://www.tiktok.com/@numentoband
https://numento.bandcamp.com/

Dual-Bass THE OMNIFIC Celebrate New Album Release with Video for Title Track ‘The Law Of Augmenting Returns’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 9, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

The world’s most prominent bass driven instrumental rock act, Australia’s The Omnific, have released their highly anticipated sophomore album, The Law Of Augmenting Returns, an audacious and magnificent triumph – out now worldwide via Wild Thing Records.

The Omnific today also unveiled a playthrough inspired music video for the title track, featuring bass solos from Charles Berthoud and Kai den Hertog.

Stream/Buy here: ffm.to/lawofaugmentingreturns

The Law Of Augmenting Returns encompasses an array of instrumentation never used before on a The Omnific record, such as Bass VI, Fretless Warwick played with an EBow, live brass including Trumpet and Trombone, and even surprise vocals on opener ‘The Omnific ≈ Bass’; a barbershop quartet foreword by genre legend Tim Waurick, and excerpts from Luke Taylor of Australian alt-metalcore upstarts Heartline. The intricate keyboards of Rohan Sharma (I Built The Sky) appear fluently throughout the album; highlighted on tracks ‘The Law Of Augmenting Returns’, ‘Will-O’-The-Wisp’, and ‘Double Malt Ditty’. 

Bassist Matt Fack summarises, “The Law Of Augmenting Returns is the culmination of the experience and knowledge learnt and embodied in the 8 years of our existence as a band. With our creative mindset to incorporate new ideas adhered to the core principle of bass, this album paints the story of the band’s past, present, and beyond.”

The title track ‘The Law Of Augmenting Returns’ embraces bass solos from British YouTube sensation Charles Berthoud, and exhilarating Australian newcomer Kai den Hertog. Berthoud’s solo is a mesmerising jazz swing combustion, followed by the completely different approach of den Hertog’s spine-tingling feature. A singable chorus, catchy blues sections, and about as shreddy as the album gets, ‘The Law Of Augmenting Returns’ is the true champion to hold the title track of the record.

Fack comments, “Charles Berthoud’s involvement on the track showcases the highest of ability bass can be played, to Kai den Hertog’s orchestration of a bass solo that is as complex as it is energetic.”

Accompanied by an enthralling playthrough music video directed by Karl Steller (Gravemind), following on from a catalog of stellar album music videos produced to date; by Jamie McVicker & Declan Blackall (Plini) [‘Phat Mackerel’, ‘Base Camp’, ‘Will-O’-The-Wisp’], and Miki Simankevicius (Polaris – D.O.P) [‘Matrices’]. 

The Law Of Augmenting Returns explores the notion that the more effort you invest in your artistry, the greater the rewards you reap. This powerful trinity of bass and drums pushed their creative boundaries to unprecedented heights; a tremendous body of work transpired, traversing the intense, the emotionally charged, and the humorous, appealing to a wide range of musical palates. The production team of critically acclaimed debut record Escapades (2021) reassembled for the release, including Adam Bentley (mixing, Arch Echo), Ermin Hamidovic (mastering, Periphery), and Josh Saunders (artwork); with the majority of programming handled by the band’s own Matt Fack.

01.    The Omnific ≈ Bass (Ft. Tim Waurick and Luke Taylor of Heartline)
02.    The Law Of Augmenting Returns (Ft. Charles Berthoud and Kai den Hertog)
03.    Matrices
04.    Base Camp
05.    Will-O’-The-Wisp
06.    Phat Mackerel
07.    Butterfingers
08.    Double Malt Ditty (Feat. Rohan Sharma)

The Omnific will be trailblazing their way through Europe & the UK, heading on their first ever summer festival run, alongside their most extensive array of headline shows in Europe to date. They’ll be making highly anticipated debut appearances at festivals; RADAR (UK), Vagos (PT), Brutal Assault (CZ), Arctangent (UK), and Fekete Zaj (HU). Led by their two other-worldly intertwining bassists, Matt Fack & Toby Peterson-Stewart, and backed by flamboyant drummer Jerome Lematua, The Bass Boys will be bringing a full tank of charisma, showmanship, and unbelievable technical performances from down under. 

Tour Dates:
28-Jul – United Kingdom – Manchester – Radar Festival
30-Jul – Germany – Oberhausen – Druckluft 
01-Aug – Spain – Barcelona – Razzmatazz 3
02-Aug – Spain – Madrid – Wurlitzer 
03-Aug – Portugal – Vagos – Vagos Metal Fest
04-Aug – Spain – Portugalete – Groove
06-Aug – Italy – Milan – Slaughter Club
08-Aug – Slovakia – Bratislava – Pink Whale
09-Aug – Czech Republic – Josefov – Brutal Assault Festival
10-Aug – Poland – Warsaw – Chmury
12-Aug – Germany – Hamburg – Hafenklang
14-Aug – Netherlands – Nijmegen – Merleyn 
16-Aug – United Kingdom – Bristol – Arctangent Festival
18-Aug – Hungary – Gyöngyös – Fekete Zaj Festival

Tickets On Sale Now – theomnific.com

The Omnific are a breathtaking progressive instrumental trio, hailing from Melbourne, Australia. 
 

Following the release of three groundbreaking EPs – Sonorous (2016), Kismet (2017), The Minds Eye (2019) – the band attracted interest, and fans from all corners of the globe. Their 2021 debut album Escapades achieved international critical acclaim – landing #3 on the Australian AIR Independent Album Charts, and cementing their status as torchbearers of the next generation of progressive rock and metal. Clay Gober of Polyphia featured on the single ‘Antecedent’, exceeding a combined 1 million plays on YouTube & Spotify. In 2023, the group went from strength to strength; supporting Polyphia in Australia, and Ne Obliviscaris in Europe and North America, capping off with a landmark 46-date world tour in support of single ‘Phat Mackerel’ – including festivals Euroblast (DE), Reeperbahn (DE), and Bigsound (AU). The group kickstarted 2024 with Mongolia’s The HU in Australia, profiling their outrageous musical versatility – which dives through prog, metal, djent, funk, synth-driven soundscapes, and more. The Omnific have also toured with renowned artists such as Between The Buried And Me, Intervals, Galactic Empire, Twelve Foot Ninja, and Cog. 

The Law Of Augmenting Returns explores the notion that the more effort you invest in your artistry, the greater the rewards you reap. This powerful trinity of bass and drums pushed their creative boundaries to unprecedented heights; a tremendous body of work transpired, traversing the intense, the emotionally charged, and the humorous, appealing to a wide range of musical palates. 

“a bright future for the instrumental outfit” – Metal Hammer (UK)
“a veritable masterclass in the art of the bass player” – Prog Magazine (UK)
“The Omnific never cease to entice, excite and amaze” – The Music (AU)

Follow The Omnific: Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube | Twitter | Spotify