Reno, NV progressive metal duo FOUR STROKE BARON has today shared a new music video for 1000 Threads, taken from their fourth album, Data Diamond, released today (May 31) via Prosthetic Records. 1000 Threads is the third instalment of their four part visual narrative for Data Diamond‘s blood soaked narrative thread, that comprises a series of anthology tales.
Speaking on the music video’s narrative, FOUR STROKE BARON comments: “William’s shocking discovery of the truth is too much for him to bear. Robert is beyond possession and now in a state of complete capture beyond his control, and he knows exactly how to end it all.”
Data Diamond is the sound of FOUR STROKE BARON at their most confidently unhinged. Originally conceived as two separate EPs (one purely electronic – Data, one heavy – Diamond) that would then meld together on one full length release, the idea morphed into what is now the succinct sucker punch of an album that is heading our way at speed.
Heavily inspired by their own work on Data Diamond’s predecessor, Classics, Witt and Vallarino got to work in their laboratory creating the most potent, concentrated form of FOUR STROKE BARON possible. “We love Classics, we think it’s one of the coolest albums ever”, the pair state unequivocally. If they have any criticism of their previous work it is simply that they didn’t push their own boundaries far enough, feeling like they took just a little too long to get to the point.
No such claim could be laid against Data Diamond – a dizzying sub-40 minute dive into the deranged psyches of its creators. The tracks on Data Diamond are lithe yet still allow enough room for idiosyncratic flourishes that mark this out as a true FOUR STROKE BARON opus. If Classics was a Man vs. Food belly busting plate of indulgence, Data Diamond is an upmarket Gordon Ramsay dish, served with a side of insanity. Finding a co-conspirator in Cynic’s Paul Masvidal, the trio get somewhat psychedelic on the album’s eponymous closing – and most expansive – track, which also features Vola’s Adam Janzi on drums.
Thematically, this is their most murderous anthology to date. Those who find themselves embroiled in these tales include a Radio Shack CEO, an internationally acclaimed cyborg, an accidental trafficker of human body parts, and the leader of a death cult located in a convenience store. FOUR STROKE BARON’s anomalous view of the world takes a particularly dark turn across the songs on Data Diamond, yet, as ever the macabre tragedies are dressed up with catchy melodies, pop hooks for days and a big shimmering bow of positivity.
Synths are a leading element across the length of the album, with more dark electronics seeping into the sound of the band than ever before – marking this out as the most experimental and intensely crazed the band have sounded to date. Samples recorded out in the wilds of Reno, Nevada weave their own kind of horror throughout the deliriously anthemic tunes laid down at FSB HQ, paving the way towards an incalculable future with limitless possibilities of where their minds will lead them next. It sure seems that they’re reaching a boiling point that will eventually tear a hole through spacetime. With this, their fourth full length, FOUR STROKE BARON has blossomed into the self-absorbed, wildly confident, musically deranged partnership that they were always destined to be – and it sounds incredible.
Data Diamond track list:
1. On Mute 2. Monday 3. The Witch 4. Cyborg Pt. 3 (Because I’m God) 5. VALLTT 6. Open The World 7. People In My Image 8. 1000 Threads 9. Data Diamond (Paul Masvidal and Adam Janzi)
FOUR STROKE BARON is: Kirk Witt – guitar and vocals Matt Vallarino – drums
Rising from the pillars of their Hellenic heritage, the sovereign kings of black metal, ROTTING CHRIST, invite you to partake in a monumental crusade across Europe. Hot on the heels of their enthralling 14th studio album Pro Xristou, the Greek metal legends unveil their spellbinding 2024 EU Tour dates, commencing this autumn.
“Dear Metal brothers & sisters, we can proudly announce that we celebrate our 35 years of existence with the release of our new album Pro Xristou & some special shows on European soils this Autumn. Together with the Scandinavian Pagan Metal Kings Borknagar and French diabolical horde Seth we promise to perform a hell of a show every night! Thanks for your attention and look forward to seeing you all in the battle field!” Says Sakis, on behalf of ROTTING CHRIST
With the spellbinding essence of their latest opus, Pro Xristou, the Greek forebearers ROTTING CHRIST will share stages with Norway’s progressive black metal giants Borknagar, whose profound musical narratives have sculpted their undisputed place within the genre. Alongside them, France’s SETH will bring their own brand of fervent intensity and atmospheric ferocity to the mix. Together, they stand as a triad set to invigorate and bewitch audiences across the continent.
“Sharing the stage for a whole month with thy mighty Rotting Christ is thrilling ! This will be our 3rd European tour in over 25 years and definitely the biggest journey that we’ve ever had ! We can’t think of any better band on Season of Mist roster to promote La France des Maudits!” Says SETH.
SETH will be releasing the full-length album La France des Maudits on Bastille Day, July 14th, on Season of Mist.
You can catch both titans of Black Metal ROTTING CHRIST & SETH, as well as Borknagar playing on the the dates below.
Rotting Christ 2024 EU Tour w/ Borknagar & Seth:
28 September: Warsaw, PL @ Proxima 29 September: Krakow, PL @ Hyde Park 1 October: Gdansk, PL @ Drizzly Grizzly 2 October: Leipzig, DE @ Hellraiser 3 October: Heidelberg, DE @ Halle02 4 October: Ostwald, FR @ Le Point d’Eau 5 October: Seyssinet Pariset, FR @ l’ilyade 6 October: Torino, IT @ Audiodrome Live Club 7 October: Bologna, IT @ Locomotiv 8 October: Nuremburg, DE @ Hirsch 9 October: Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Pandora 10 October: Bochum, DE @ Matrix 11 October: Wasquehal, FR @ The Black Lab 12 October: Limoges, FR @ CCM John Lennon 13 October: Montpellier, FR @ Rockstore 15 October: Villava, ES @ Totem 16 October: Ponferrada, ES @ La Vaca 17 October: Porto, PT @ Hard Club 18 October: Lisbon, PT @ Under the Doom Festival 19 October: Madrid, ES @ Changó 20 October: Seville, ES @ Custom 22 October: Murcia, ES @ Gamma 23 October: L’Hospitalet, ES @ Salamandra 24 October: Toulouse, FR @ La Cabane 25 October: La Mézière, FR @ Samain Fest (Salle Cassiopée) 26 October: Sint Niklaas, BE @ De Casino 27 October: Maastricht, NL @ Samhain Festival *without Seth
Tickets will be available shortly on Rotting Christ’s bandsintown page.
Artwork by Thomas Cole – Digital Processing by Adrien Bousson
Dive into the legacy of the last Pagan kings with Pro Xristou—an album drenched in ancient wisdom and robust anthems, exemplified by sonic monuments like The Apostate and Like Father, Like Son. Through melodious symphonies and fierce, unyielding harshness, the album stands as a blackened testament to unquenchable Pagan might, resonating with the echoes of Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic myths.
1. Pro Xristou (Προ Χριστού) (1:29) 2. The Apostate (5:01) [WATCH] 3. Like Father, Like Son (4:35) [WATCH] 4. The Sixth Day (3:56) 5. La Lettera Del Diavolo (4:01) 6. The Farewell (6:15) [WATCH] 7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33) 8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51) [WATCH] 9. Yggdrasil (5:04) 10. Saoirse (6:17) [WATCH] 11. Primal Resurrection (Bonus Track) (5:32) – Only Deluxe Editions! 12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37) – Only Deluxe Editions! Total runtime: 55:17
In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,300 concerts around the globe. Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.
Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to push boundaries.
But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek, English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.
In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristou. Pro Xristou (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.
US power metal legends RIOT (V) are more than just back! Celebrating the release of their highly praised new album, “Mean Streets,” the group took the European stages — including a co-headlining performance at Germany‘s Rock Hard Festival — by storm earlier this month. Besides catapulting the band into the German album chart once again (this time at no. 35), RIOT (V) could even enter the Swiss (#23) and Austrian (#59) sales chart, marking their very first entries in both countries.
Order “Mean Streets” in the physical format of your choice, stream it on your favourite DSP or get it digitally now, here: https://riotv.afr.link/meanstreetsPR
To also continue their latest success story on the road, the legacy carrying band now announce the second European leg of the supporting tour which will lead them to ten cities in Iberia, Cyprus and Greece this November. Paving the way to the second part of RIOT (V)‘s “Mean Streets” journey across the continent are a stop at Sweden Rock Festival, shows in Japan but also an extensive Latin American trip among others. Their current itinerary can be found below!
Bass player Don Van Stavern rejoices, “Tequila cheers, metal warriors! We would like to thank you for the amazing response for the new album “Mean Streets”! It means a lot being that it’s our 17th album and 50th anniversary next year and you guys are still with us and supporting the legacy! This means the world to us and by world we mean all the great countries that have been supportive and we send lots of love and we are coming to RIOT for you in November! “Mean Streets” part II tour! Shine on!”
“Mean Streets” Tour 2024 – Part II Presented by Dragon Productions, Gabriel Management & RPM 20.11.2024 PT Lisbon – RCA Club 21.11.2024 ES Madrid – Revi Live 22.11.2024 ES Zaragoza – Sala Lo Intento 23.11.2024 ES Donostia-San Sebastián – Centro Cultural Larratxo 24.11.2024 ES Barcelona – Sala Wolf 26.11.2024 CY Nicosia – DownTown Live 27.11.2024 GR Athens – Kyttaro Live Club 28.11.2024 GR Agrinio – Metal Union 29.11.2024 GR Thessaloniki – Eightball Club 30.11.2024 GR Trikala – Andromeda Music Club To be continued…!
More upcoming RIOT (V) live dates:
05.06.2024 SE Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival
20.07.2024 JP Kawasaki – Club Citta 22.07.2024 JP Shibuya – Club Quattro
07.09.2024 BR Limeira – Studio Mirage Eventos 08.09.2024 BR São Paulo – Manifesto Bar 11.09.2024 PY Asunción – Absoluto Rock Bar 12.09.2024 AR Buenos Aires – El Teatrito 14.09.2024 CL Santiago – Teatro Cariola 15.09.2024 PE Lima – Yield Rock 18.09.2024 CO Bogotá – Ace of Spades Club 20.09.2024 MX Monterrey – Café Iguana 21.09.2024 MX Mexico City – Circo Volador
04.10.2024 US West Hollywood, CA – Whisky a Go-Go
25./26.04.2025 DE Lauda-Königshofen – Keep It True (50th Anniversary Show) *SOLD OUT*
“Mean Streets” was recorded by Bruno Ravel in New Jersey. Ravel also mixed the album while Bart Gabriel took care of its mastering. Artwork was provided by Gyula Havancsák (ACCEPT, STRATOVARIUS, BRAINSTORM etc.) who captured the galloping style of the new material skillfully – without missing the band’s typical seal style, of course.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated & to listen to ‘Mean Streets’ as well as other new tracks in the “RPM New Releases” playlist on Spotify: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR
About RIOT (V)
With the mighty Atomic Fire Records / Reigning Phoenix Music behind the band and with many more releases to come, and with reissues on Sony Music, EMI Records and Metal Blade Records, RIOT (V) are consistantly on radio and metal charts worldwide as well as being a part of ‘New York City’s Top 20 Most Influential Metal Bands,‘‘100 Best Metal Albums Of All Time,‘‘100 Best Metal Bands Of All Time‘ and numerous mentions on VH1‘s “That Metal Show“ with Eddie Trunk and staff sighting RIOT as one of the innovaters of metal music in America and beyond and 2018 saw RIOT inducted into the “Metal Hall of Fame“ with the likes of Ronnie James Dio, Randy Rhoads, Lemmy Kilmister, BLACK SABBATH just to name a few!
RIOT (V) are: Todd Michael Hall | vocals Mike Flyntz | guitars Nick Lee | guitars Don Van Stavern | bass Frank Gilchriest | drums
Today, May 31, 2024, Brazilian death metal extremes THE TROOPS OF DOOM celebrate the release of their much-awaited, new studio album “A Mass To The Grotesque” via Alma Mater Records, the Portuguese label run by MOONSPELLsinger Fernando Ribeiro!
In support of “A Mass To The Grotesque”, the band teamed up with Decibel Magazinefor an exclusive album premiere! Stream the album, in its entirety, now at:
THE TROOPS OF DOOM was formed in 2020, during the pandemic, by the original SEPULTURA guitarist Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz. He recorded the albums “Bestial Devastation” (1985) and “Morbid Visions” (1986). Jairo left the band in 1987, making way for Andreas Kisser, who continues with the band to this day. THE TROOPS OF DOOM’s lineup also includes other significant figures from the Brazilian metal scene, such as guitarist Marcelo Vasco (Patria, Mysteriis), a globally renowned graphic artist known for his work with bands like Slayer, Dee Snider, Kreator, Machine Head, Soulfly, and many others. The vocalist and bassist Alex Kafer, former live guitarist for Matanza, and drummer Alexandre Oliveira, a former member of the band Tianastácia, complete the lineup.
Acclaimed by specialized media as a supergroup, THE TROOPS OF DOOM emerged to revive the classic Death Metal of the 80s, inspired by Sepultura’s early era with Jairo and other influential bands such as Slayer, Celtic Frost, Kreator, and Possessed. It serves as a time machine for those nostalgic for the golden age of Death Metal. In just two years since its formation, the band has released three EPs: “The Rise of Heresy” (2020), “The Absence of Light” (2021), and “Prelude to Blasphemy” (2023), along with their debut album, “Antichrist Reborn”, that was released in 2022 on CD, LP, and Cassette by Alma Mater Records and lauded by both fans and music press alike.
The band is currently gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated second album, “A Mass To The Grotesque”, produced by André Moraes, a multi-talented musician known for his work on Sepultura’s “Dante XXI” and the soundtrack of the film “Lisbela e o Prisioneiro,” at Audio Porto studio in Porto Alegre/RS. The mixing and mastering of the album were done by Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, known for producing some of the greatest Death Metal classics of the 80s and 90s. The cover art was painted by the acclaimed artist Dan Seagrave, responsible for numerous iconic Death Metal album covers.
THE TROOPS OF DOOM who have just headlined the Waves stage at the Brazilian edition of the German festival Summer Breeze, will embark on their first-ever European Tour in August! Find all upcoming live dates listed below, and make sure to grab your copy of this must-have album, one that belongs into every well-sorted death metal record collection, now at THIS LOCATION!
Tracklist:
Solve Et Coagula – Introduction
Chapels Of The Unholy
Dawn of Mephisto
Denied Divinity
The Impostor King
Faithless Requiem
Psalm 78 – God of Bizarre
Terror Inheritance
The Grotesque
Blood Upon The Throne
Venomous Creed
THE TROOPS OF DOOM Live 2024:
02.08 Cottbus (D) @Muggefug 03.08 Nuremberg (D) @Straßenfest 04.08 Berlin (D) @Maschinenhaus 05.08 Bamberg (D) @Live Club 06.08 Halle (D) @ Reil 74 07.08 The Hague (NL) @Musicon 08.08 Breda (NL) @Sound Dog 09.08 Doetinchen (NL) @Engelenbak 10.08 Wermelskirchen (D) @AJZ 11.08 Hamburg (D) @Indra 12.08 Charleroi (B) @MCP Apache 14.08 Kassel (D) @Goldgrube 15.08 Sosnowiec (PL) @M. Doctrine 23.08 Almeria (ES) @The Time Club 24.08 Madrid (ES) @Revi Live 25.08 Milagres (P) @Milagre Metaleiro
THE TROOPS OF DOOM are: Alex Kafer (vocals and bass) Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz (guitar) Marcelo Vasco (guitar) Alexandre Oliveira (drums)
Nocturna has released a video for “Creatures Of Darkness”, fourth single taken from the new album “Of Sorcery And Darkness” released on April 19th by Scarlet Records.
The creatures of darkness are the most fascinating, but at the same time also those most opposed by fearful souls; through their magnetic aura, however, a glimmer of light and knowledge will open, and those who have the courage to follow them will be forever dazzled.
video by RKH Studio
“Of Sorcery And Darkness” Album
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Andrea Fusini at Fusix Studio (Frozen Crown, Volturian, Be The Wolf);
illustrated by frontwoman Rehn Stillnight;
FFO: Nightwish, Powerwolf, Within Temptation, Winds, Unleash The Archers, Ghost, Epica;
The sophomore record of the band founded by the formidable frontwomen Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight – featuring the Frozen Crown/Volturian/Be The Wolf mastermind Federico Mondelli as songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist – was recorded, mixed and mastered by Andrea Fusini at Fusix Studio; Rehn Stillnight took care of the delightfully grim artwork and illustrations.
After the success of the 2022 mesmerizing debut album “Daughters Of The Night” (which mixed gothic-symphonic and power metal elements, alternating between fast & heavy neck breaking episodes and intense, piano-oriented ballads), Nocturna once again delves into the meaning of the term ‘duality’ and all its more morbid connotations.
The romantic inspiration of the lyrics of “Of Sorcery And Darkness” combines harmoniously with the band’s sophisticated sonic approach, and the celestial voices of Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight paint mysterious and sensual portraits of an ancestral time (yet so close to us).
Finnish melodic metal band Dead End Finland released the second single ‘Saint & Sinner’ from the upcoming sixth studio album which is set to be released later via Inverse Records.
The band comments: “The song deals with different aspects of the human mind. The confrontation between good and evil and the human moral concept. The song represents Def’s more modern side of the album.”
Composed & Written by Dead End Finland Cover art by Mikko Virtanen
Dead End Finland is a melodic metal band from Helsinki founded in 2007. The lineup, which has remained unchanged since the beginning, has enabled the band’s sound to develop into its current rich form. Dead End Finland is difficult to place into any specific genre, and in the songs you can hear tones from classical music to death metal. During the years, the band’s style has become even more bombastic and melodic. The compositions have gained more depth and insight. The upcoming sixth album takes the band in a more modern direction, although Dead End Finland’s recognizable sound and basic elements are still easily heard.
Line-up: Mikko Virtanen – Vocals Santtu Rosén – Guitars & Bass Miska Rajasuo – Drums Jarno Hänninen – Keys
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 ) 