German Post-Metal/Post-Rock act BARYON has announced the upcoming release of the band’s sophomore album “Hypnos”, which has been slated for release on July 5. With a reputation for intricate riffs, gradual crescendos, and sophisticated compositions, the band is now delivering the follow-up to their debut album “Inauguration” (released in 2015).
Recorded at RAMA Studio in Mannheim between 2020 and 2022, “Hypnos” is a massive and dynamic record that showcases the band’s growth and musical evolution. Produced by Tobias Schwarz, who also worked on their debut album, the record features intricate layering of guitars, synths, and vocals that create a powerful and immersive listening experience.
“We wanted to create a ‘big’ record, and Tobi’s mix made it possible,” BARYON states. “We used Orange, Rivera and London City amps, a small army of delay and reverb pedals from Meris to EHX to Red Panda, distortion and overdrive pedals, noise boxes from Industrialectric as well as Schecter guitars, Ibanez guitars and a whole lot of takes – all orchestrated and held together by Tobi’s know-how. We wanted to create the ultimate post-metal record made in Germany – more melodic than Cult of Luna, but heavier than the usual post-rock acts.“
According to the band, the album is not a concept album but revolves around themes of guilt, liberation, and arrival. Lead vocalist Sebastian’s lyrics are introspective and thought-provoking, adding depth and emotion to the music.
To give a taste of what to expect from “Hypnos”, BARYON has released the first single “Cardiac Eye”. The track is a burst of energy and emotion, showcasing the band’s ability to create intense and captivating music.
DEZPERADOZ release their new single + video “Evil Wayz” from the upcoming album “Moonshiner”, which will be released on June 21, 2024.
Fans always look forward to new stories and as usual they will not be disappointed by band leader and songwriter Alex Kraft:
“”Evil Wayz” tells the story of the outlaws of the time, in particular: John (Herbert) Dillinger. Dillinger practically grew up without a mother and as a young man had to do all sorts of jobs to earn money, but they were completely unchallenging. In those days, it was almost impossible to make a career professionally, visually and financially, especially if you came from such a very middle-class background. Despite his bright nature, he was labeled a good-for-nothing and a bully early on, which led him to make a virtue out of necessity, gain respect and start a career as a gang leader, even becoming public enemy number one.”
Pre-sales for the album, which will be released physically as a CD and in a limited wooden collector’s box, is already running!
Contents of the collector’s box in an elegant wooden design: stylish, Moonshiner-appropriate pocket watch, sticker, autograph card and guitar pic
Tracklist: 01 – Evil Wayz 02 – Runnin’ shine 03 – Straight between the Eyes 04 – Moonshine 05 – Mexican Border 06 – Man of constant Sorrow 07 – River 08 – Lawless 09 – My lucky Graveyardboots 10 – Angels’ Share 11 – A Gunmans Trail 12 – Never Stop to Start again
For over 20 years, DEZPERADOZ have been thrilling audiences with their distinctive sound and stories about the heroes of the Wild West like Wyatt Earp or Biilly The Kid. This led them to various European and world tours (among others with Krokus, Thin Lizzy, Doro, U.D.O. and Volbeat) as well as to Wacken, the With Full Force and the Summer Breeze. The new album “Moonshiner” is the 6th in the band’s history.
Line-Up: Alex Kraft – Vocals,Guitars Andi Kiesel – Guitars Manuel Mandrysch – Bass Lars Nippa – Drums
The world’s most prominent bass-driven instrumental rock act, Australia’s The Omnific, return with their second album, The Law Of Augmenting Returns, an audacious and magnificent triumph – to be released on 7th June 2024 via Wild Thing Records.
The trio have just released their brand new face-melting track ‘Will-O’-The-Wisp’:
The band’s most progressive song to date, ‘Will-O’-The-Wisp’, is a beautiful labyrinth of grandiose proportions. An epic tale of many chapters, the song dances through bone-crushing riffs, memorable choruses, and eerie dreamlike sequences. The group are joined by the magical talents of Rohan Sharma (keyboards/programming, I Built The Sky) and Joshua Verco (double bass), forming a barrage of power and force. Additionally, Pranav Roy lends his trombone skills in subtle areas, adding a newfound edge to this monumental track. The Melbourne trio also experimented with a Fender Bass VI guitar for the strumming sections, and a vintage Madeira.
Bassist Toby Peterson-Stewart elaborates, “This song features quite a different sonic sound, when it comes to what we have done in the past, introducing many themes that we haven’t completely explored. This is the first Omnific song to feature a “Guitar”, the Fender Bass VI. It required 6 hands for us to fathom recording a guitar on one of our songs!”
The mythical music video was realised by the acclaimed duo of Jamie McVicker and Declan Blackall (Plini) [The Omnific – ‘Phat Mackerel’, ‘Base Camp’]. Their most expansive feature yet, building an entire visual world made up of dozens of unique virtual environments. McVicker comments, “When the boys first showed us ‘Will-O’-The-Wisp’, we were instantly transported to distant realms, with galloping chorus licks and orb-pondering atmosphere twisting through a near-8-minute runtime leaving us with only one choice. This was a story of wizards three, and The Omnific they would be.” The music video maps a classical fantasy epic, in sync with its sprawling musical arrangement. A darker aesthetic eventuated, inspired by the immersive world of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ film series, and the mystical peaks of Skyrim from ‘The Elder Scrolls V’.
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
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.
Bassist Matt Fack explains, “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.”
“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)
Finnish modern melodic metal band Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle (VOV) has released their first single. “Rakkauden Alttari” shamelessly exposes the seemingly insurmountable challenges in a love-hate relationship between two individuals. The price paid for this impossible relationship is high, yet the parties are never willing to let go of each other. Clad in the guise of modern melodic metal, the band’s debut is catchy. The skilled mezzo-soprano Karoliina McLoud’s singing makes the song uniquely Finnish metal music.
“The debut single ‘Rakkauden Alttari’ by Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle is a raw depiction of a challenging love-hate relationship, where souls don’t survive without bullet holes. The key element in creating the song has been a solid dose of modern melodic metal.” – Says the band’s guitarist, Teemu Harjunen.
Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple, Deezer, Tidal etc): https://push.fm/fl/vov-rakkaudenalttari – Composed and written by: Karoliina McLoud, Teemu Harjunen, Sami Halinen, Petteri Rosenbom
VOV, or Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle (Last Ode to Freedom), is a Finnish metal band founded in 2023. The band’s hometown is Nakkila. They delve into the darker aspects of the human psyche in their music, dressing stories in the dark attire of modern and melodic metal. The band’s frontwoman is the vocalist Karoliina McLoud, whose background in classical singing echoes in VOV’s music. The band’s drummer is none other than Petteri Rosenbom, a powerhouse known for his time in Dreamtale. The band’s bassist is the versatile Sami Halinen, who also takes the main responsibility for the band’s technical production. Last but not least, the guitarist Teemu Harjunen is the band’s unpredictable “demo animal.”
VOV: Karoliina McLoud – Vocals Teemu Harjunen – Guitar Sami Halinen – Bass ja keyboards Petteri Rosenbom – Drums
British four-piece rock band Collateral are pleased to release “Just One Of Those Days” the third single taken from their highly anticipated sophomore album Should’ve Known Better.
The single, accompanied with an official music video, is released by Big Shot Records on the same day as the album, Friday 24th May. The single is available on all streaming platforms from https://lnk.to/KnrsIE.
“Just One Of Those Days” is available with the new album on all streaming platforms HERE. The official music video is available to watch on YouTube HERE.
“Just One Of Those Days” and the new album Should’ve Known Better is produced by Dan Weller (Those Damn Crows, Elles Bailey, Enter Shikari, Monster Truck, Kris Barras).
To celebrate the release of the new album, Collateral will perform an Album Release Party Concert at The Underworld in London on Sunday May 26th. Tickets are available from SeeTickets.com.
Collateral will also embark on a Instore Signing Tour that will see them perform 30-minute acoustic performances at Some Nice Things in Margate at 2pm on Saturday May 25th, Raven in Camden Town, London at 1pm on Tuesday May 28th, Rough Trade in Bristol at 6.30pm on Wednesday May 29th, and Beyond Vinyl in Newcastle at 6pm on Thursday May 30th.
“I’d love nothing more than to be on an open road, top down, sun on skin and the wind in my hair whilst blaring this out,” says Collateral’s frontman, Angelo Tristan. “It was always intended to be the soundtrack of any route 66 trip. “What I really hope is for people to find happiness in this, I’m just trying to make what may seem like a bad day, turning out to be a good one. It’s perfect if you’re having Just One Of Those Days.”
Since the band released their eponymous debut album (Top 5 UK Rock Album Chart) at the start of 2020 Collateral have spent no time standing still. COVID came only weeks after the debut album was released and forced the band to cancel their highly successful tour with Phil X (Bon Jovi) halfway through. This made the band hungry to keep the momentum. With innovative ways to produce top quality live streams, the band became special guests supporting the likes of Skid Row, H.E.A.T and Reckless Love.
On October 21, 2022, Collateral independently released a re-mixed and re-mastered version of their debut album re-titled as Re-Wiredwhich featured Jeff Scott Soto, Phil X, Kee Marcello, Rudy Sarzo, Danny Vaughn, and Joel Hoekstra. The re-release saw the band in the Official UK Rock Charts at #12.
After the gruelling back-to-back tours with Skid Row, H.E.A.T and Reckless Love, the band ignited a spark and strengthened their already loyal fanbase leading them to win the opening slot at 2023s Stonedead Festival, leading the band to perform their biggest show.
Collateral’s hotly tipped sophomore album looks like it will take them to the next level. A lot of people don’t know what to expect from the new album, as the band have been tight-lipped about the new songs. Collateral have created a state-of-the-art rock album that will immerse listeners in their rock music universe, enabling fans to feel the blood, sweat and glory that went into the recording of every song.
“We felt that our debut album was lacking the production,” reflects Collateral’s frontman, Angelo Tristan. “For the sophomore album, I wanted to make sure that this time we left no room for error and so got one of the hottest producers in the music industry, Dan Weller, to help lift these songs into a new dimension. With Dan’s pioneering studio expertise, this album has massive production quality that enables you to get lost in each character-filled track. Dan really brought out the emotions we were trying to portray and has achieved it with his own unique style.”
“We wanted this album to express where we were in our own lives since the release of our first. So much has happened since then, I mean the world shut down for what felt like a lifetime! And it was obvious that people were going to need some sort of optimism. I hope ‘Glass Sky’ is one of those songs that gives people the belief to find themselves again.”
“Whereas, the feel-good ‘Just One Of Those Days’ is trying to find the good side of a bad day. Me being me, couldn’t help but to write a big power ballad, ‘The Long Road’, that I wrote from a very hard and deep place, in hope that it could maybe bring some peace and comfort to people who need it. I think there’s all aspects of life running though this album and what it means to us will remain in our hearts forever.”
“Should’ve Known Better” is an album that goes beyond specific music genres,” says Angelo. “It’s almost like a soundtrack to a beating heart. It’s an album that will remain timeless in years to come.”
ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. GLASS SKY (3.53) 2. ORIGINAL CRIMINAL (3.58) 3. JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS (3.19) 4. TEENAGE DREAMS (4.34) 5. ELYSIUM (4.02) 6. ON THE LONG ROAD (4.47) 7. NO PLACE FOR LOVE (3.35) 8. GAME CHANGER (3.54) 9. FINAL STAND (3.49)
PRODUCTION CREDITS PRODUCED BY DAN WELLER RECORDED AT MARSHALL STUDIOS, MILTON KEYNES ENGINERED AND MIXED BY DAN WELLER MASTERED BY RYAN SMITH @ STERLING SOUND
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
Collateral’s frontman, Angelo Tristan, breaks down the songs on the new album track by track.
GLASS SKY This is the flag ship of the album. Louis came into the rehearsal studio one day with the opening riff and I literally stopped what I was doing. I turned around to him and said, “That’s it… That’s the hit”. The lyrics were like water off a duck’s back. It felt easy to write something empowering. It was crying out for a Shanty style gang vocal that I could imagine a rallying arena scream along to. I felt this song had to bring people together. We’re all searching for that breakthrough, for that love, for that thing that will make us feel complete. This is that song.
ORIGINAL CRIMINAL This song is a nod to the Bonnie and Clyde style lifestyle. A mysterious character that has a dangerously attractive persona doing what he likes when he likes. The best part of this song is that you never know if he’s a good or bad guy. I guess he’s what all men would want to be. An “Original Criminal.”
JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS Showing my country influence, I wanted to create a song with a happy and upbeat vibe that would make people forget about a bad day. We all have them, we all have ‘One of those days’ where nothing quite goes to plan and that was the perfect inspiration for this song. We decided to have a key change chorus to really uplift the optimism, Bryan Adams style, and I think the song as a whole really captures the important things in life and at the same time lets you let go of the stupid everyday stresses, we all go through.”
TEENAGE DREAMS I find myself writing a lot about nostalgia, I find magic in it, “Teenage Dreams” is that nostalgia. Going back to a simpler time. A time where the only worries in life were making sure you didn’t get caught sneaking out with your friends until the early hours of the morning. This song puts you back in your teenage self, a self where you miss school, a self where you slept in past midday, a self when you were invincible. The best time of our lives.
ELYSIUM “Elysium” is what we all crave for at the end of a hard week at work. That need to shake off the rigidness of the office and to be intertwined in the hot and sweaty atmosphere of the nightclub. It’s a song that does what is says on the tin, there’s no hidden meanings or messages. Just a message of letting your hair down and having a good time.
ON THE LONG ROAD There was so much loss during Covid. My partner lost her mum without warning and seeing the heart break was devastating. This was written for her. A song, I hope, people can seek solace in when they need a shoulder to cry on. This is my favourite track on the album, but also the hardest to perform live due to the emotions that run through me.
NO PLACE FOR LOVE A story of two people who, despite being in a world which is designed to kick love into the gutter, give everything to make it work. When there’s no place for love, if they are in each other’s hearts, then nothing can break them. It’s a story of hope but also a story of struggle. Instead of going down the Hollywood happy ending, I wanted to add a more real-life aspect to it, the aspect that love can also hurt.
GAME CHANGER “Game Changer” is all about wanting that person that you can’t have. In this case I wanted to write a song that oozed cheekiness to take it away from the common love song. It’s fast, hard and straight to the point. I wanted people to take this song and make it their own, I want the listener to believe that they are the ‘Game Changer’. Just like the running theme throughout the album it’s the optimism and the light at the end of the tunnel that makes this song so exciting.
FINAL STAND Unlike the other songs, “Final Stand” delivers a darker message of battling your inner demons. Those days where you look at yourself in the mirror and the person looking back at you is telling you to give up. Musically it shows our heavier side and lyrically shows a darker side to us. This song brings the balance on the album.
For Canada’s The Metal Voice, Neil Turbin spoke to Richie Kotzen, Julia Lage (Vixen) and solo artist Audry Lagiou at this year’s Rock for Ronnie charity May 19 ,2024.
In the chat Kotzen and Lage reveal a new Smith/ Kotzen album in the works.
“I play bass on Smith/Kotzen which has an amazing project. So if you want to talk about new stuff they also wrote an album and I don’t know when they’re going to be releasing (it) but there’s something coming probably in the future”-Julia Lage
“Julia played some songs with Adrian. I think we’re still in the infantile stages of figuring it out but it looks like there will be some stuff coming in the foreseeable future so I’m excited about that” Richie Kotzen
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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
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