MILE is a melodic metal band from Sweden that has a modern sound mixing heavy metal and hard rock, combining heavy riffs and attractive melodies. In 2015 they released their debut album ‘Lost’ which streamed over 1 000 000 times during its first year. The sequel ‘The World In Focus’ was released in 2018 and contained the hit single ‘Crying in Your Sleep’ which ended up on several major playlists. Throughout the years MILE has played festivals where giants like Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper, Sabaton, and Hammerfall have been present.
Yesterday, May 31st, the band is releasing their third album ‘A Shattered Mind‘ which is their most elaborate project to date. The songs were conceived during a period when the band secluded themselves in a cabin, dedicating their focus entirely to the creation of music. Although most of the songs where written in 2020, the band chose to take their time with the recording process to ensure that every track reached its full potential.
”Over the years, we’ve all become better musicians, resulting in improved recordings and more advanced songs. Now, we just hope that the world is as ready as we are when the album is released, and it will be exciting to see what reactions await.” – MILE
Swedish powerhouse Heavy Metal group DREAM EVIL finally are back! Seven years after their latest album SIX, the Gothenburg-based authors of “The Book Of Heavy Metal” have announced their newest, seventh studio album effort, programatically entitled Metal Gods, to be released via longtime label Century Media Records worldwide on July 26th, 2024.
Check out the album’s first single and opening track “Metal Gods” now, also in a powerful video-clip directed by Patric Ullaeus / https://www.revolver.se/ below.
DREAM EVIL have checked in with the following comment about their new album Metal Gods: “DREAM EVIL are finally back! It has been seven years since we released our latest album SIX, so we are stoked to return with a vengeance now! The wait should not be in vain for anybody, as we are extremely happy with the outcome of all tracks on Metal Gods. It’s a loud and clear statement for DREAM EVIL and a respectful nod to our influences as well as to the traditional melodic Heavy Metal movement in general. We hope you will enjoy it as much as we do!?”
And then DREAM EVIL added the following about the “Metal Gods” title-track and its video: “It’s all about our Heavy Metal heroes in the past and present, a tribute to the Metal Gods who created and perfected the genre Heavy Metal. It’s always a blast to work with Patric Ullaeus and to watch the magic he creates…Play LOUD and enjoy!”
Once again featuring recording/mixing duties by DREAM EVIL guitarist Fredrik Nordström at his legendary Studio Fredman (IN FLAMES, AT THE GATES, HAMMERFALL, ARCH ENEMY, BRING ME THE HORIZON, etc.), Metal Gods features cover artwork by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, EXODUS, ROTTING CHRIST, etc.) and includes 10 new songs of pure steel, introducing their newest line-up addition in drummer Sören Fardvik and also featuring guest lead guitar appearances by Jonathan Thorpenberg (THE UNGUIDED), Tommy Johansson (ex SABATON) and Chris Amott (ex ARCH ENEMY / DARK TRANQUILLITY).
Metal Gods will be made available as Standard Jewelcase CD, 180gr. LP (Either as black vinyl or as transparent sun yellow vinyl, limited to 300x copies) or as Digital Album with the following tracklisting:
1. Metal Gods (03:30) 2. Chosen Force (05:07) 3. The Tyrant Dies At Dawn (03:54) 4. Lightning Strikes (04:22) 5. Fight In The Night (03:47) 6. Masters Of Arms (03:34) 7. Born In Hell (03:51) 8. Insane (04:28) 9. Night Stalker (04:37) 10. Y.A.N.A. (04:09)
And here is a list of upcoming DREAM EVIL live appearances:
DREAM EVIL – Live 2024: 05.06. Sölvesborg (Sweden) – Sweden Rock Festival 14.06. Göteborg (Sweden) – Gothenburg Metal Temple 30.08. Eskilstuna (Sweden) – A Heavy Metal Summer Rock Shock 04.09. Atlanta (USA) – ProgPower USA XXIII 18.10. Gävle (Sweden) – Centralteatern 19.10. Sundsvall (Sweden) – Centralen 20.10. Stockholm (Sweden) – Biblioteket Live 25.10. Göteborg (Sweden) – Galej 26.10. Malmö (Sweden) – Plan B More shows will be announced soon…
Stay tuned for more new on DREAM EVIL as well as Metal Gods…and remember: HEAVY METAL always strikes back!!!
DREAM EVIL line-up: (From left to right in the photo above by Patric Ullaeus) Sören Fardvik – Lead Drums Fredrik Nordström – Lead Rhythm Guitars Niklas Isfeldt – Lead Vocals Peter Stålfors – Lead Bass Markus Fristedt – Lead Lead Guitar
In the ever-evolving saga of extreme metal, few bands have stirred as much respect as VLTIMAS. Comprising legends David Vincent (Morbid Angel), Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (Mayhem, Aura Noir) and Ype TVS (Dodecahedron), this supergroup has carved a niche for themselves that breaks all boundaries of extreme metal. Their latest album, EPIC, showcases their dark, overpowering artistry, filled with tracks that push limits. Released March 15 on Season of Mist, VLTIMAS are now set on lighting up stages across Europe.
“Epic Prophecy for Europe” 2024 Tour Dates: 26 September: Bucharest, ROM @ Metal Gates Warm-Up Party 27 September: Sofia, BUL @ Mixtapes 28 September: Vienna, AUT @ Szene Wein 30 September: Graz, AUT @ Explosiv 1 October: Ostrava, CZE @ Barrak 3 October: Budapest, HUN @ A38 4 October: Venice, ITA @ Revolver 5 October: Rome, ITA @ Traffic 6 October: Milan, ITA @ Slaughter 8 October: Leipzig, GER @ Hellraiser 9 October: Luzern, SUI @ Schuur 10 October: Mannheim, GER @ MS Connexion 12 October: Manchester, UK @ Academy 3 13 October: Bristol, UK @ Thekla 14 October: Dublin, EI @ The Academy 15 October: Belfast, EI @ Limelight 2 18 October: Sheffield, UK @ Corporation 20 October: London, UK @ Underworld 24 October: Herford, GER @ Kulturwerk
In their latest offering, EPIC, VLTIMAS craft a masterpiece that is both a ferocious onslaught and an intricate work of art. With songs like Miserere and Scorcher, EPIC lives up to its name, delivering a maelstrom of relentless riffs, thunderous drumming, and Vincent’s iconic growls that showcase the band’s ability to meld their legendary talents into something uniquely powerful. The album’s production, handled by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Arda Recorders, captures the raw energy and sophistication of their sound, making EPIC an immersive experience.
Tracklist 1. Volens Discordant (1:02) 2. EPIC (4:35) 3. Miserere (3:51) [WATCH] 4. Exercitus Irae (4:01) 5. Mephisto Manifesto (05:05) 6. Scorcher (03:21) [WATCH] 7. Invictus (5:30) [LISTEN] 8. Nature’s Fangs (3:52) 9. Spoils of War (5:54) Total runtime: 37:16
Extreme metal powerhouse VLTIMAS (pronounced ‘uhl-tuh-mas’) assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, EPIC, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, VLTIMAS fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles “Miserere,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus” showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness. “We wrote every bit of EPIC together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas,” offers Vincent. “The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I’d say to the guys, ‘I need to capture this.’ So, the magic [of VLTIMAS] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we’re doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie.”
While the members of VLTIMAS are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they’re together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he’s got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it’s the moody, angular attack of “Miserere,” the wicked groove of “Mephisto Manifesto,” or the dark fury of “Nature’s Fangs,” the chemistry and enterprise of VLTIMAS is undeniable.
“The main goal [of VLTIMAS] is to be real,” Eriksen reveals. “To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don’t believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For EPIC, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and ‘playful’ flair.”
VLTIMAS was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian’s fingers still itched with infernal fury. VLTIMAS was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, VLTIMAS had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, EPIC spears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent’s brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.
“Everything we’re doing and messaging is about strength and honor,” says Vincent. “These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they’ll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn’t say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I’m not a short attention span guy, and I don’t appreciate it. EPIC is holistic and meant to be experienced that way.”
EPIC was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. VLTIMAS tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—EPIC was captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer “Spoils of War,” EPIC is an absolute beast.
“Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode,” Eriksen says of the sessions. “We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there’s always another idea popping up.”
VLTIMAS brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize EPIC. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the “impossible triangle,” projects effortlessly. In EPIC, the group will dominate. There’s no escape from “Miserere,” “Mephisto Manifesto,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus.” Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, VLTIMAS into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.
“[EPIC is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal,” offers Eriksen. “All combined into one album.”
“I want to be as emotional and honest [with VLTIMAS],” Vincent adds. “I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. EPIC is strength.”
Lineup David Vincent – Vocals Rune Blasphemer Eriksen – Guitars Flo Mounier – Drums Ype TVS – Bass João Duarte – Guitars
Recording studio ARDA Recorders
Producer Jamie Gomez Arellano
Sound engineer Jonathan Mazzeo
Mixing and mastering engineer Jaime Gomez Arellano
Mixing and mastering studio Arda Recorders, Orgone Studio
With a sound heavily influenced by mid 90’s European melodeath, and blending effortlessly with musical traits akin to those of the black and doom metal persuasion, Misophonia have devised a sound like no other, and with this premier release, hope to continue to refine and define themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the ever-evolving European metal stage.
Trial and Error is the opening track from recent album release (De)void Of Peace, available via Sliptrick Records on March 5th on both physical and digital formats. However, all is not as it seems. This is Trial and Error version 2.0. Fully remixed and remastered specifically for the 2024 Single and video release featuring the keys debut of Sean McQueen.
June 27th marks the release of “Angstridden”, the new album by death metal veterans COMMANDER, who have been around since 1999. The 4th longplayer impresses once again with a rough and brute death metal framework, whereby the band increasingly emphasizes their roots in the more extreme styles. Between furious blastbeat songs there are also quite groove-oriented elements before the new work culminates in the final track and undoubted highlight of the album “No Compulsion To Live”, which leads into a veritable growl choir of 10 different growlers/screamers. Recorded and produced in the Sick Of Sound Studio under the direction of Michael Kraxenberger, the Bavarians certainly let it rip on “Angstridden”.
As a taster the title track is now available as a lyric video on the MDD YouTube channel. The tracklist of the album you can find below. “Angstridden” will be released in stores as a CD jewel case, and will also be available as a limited DigiPak and on vinyl directly from the band.
Tracklist 01. Dawn Of Fear 02. Angstridden 03. Astrayed 04. Deviate From Our Vision 05. Not My War 06. Worlds Upon Worlds 07. Scaremongers 08. Scorched Earth 09. Vanity Is The Death Of Decency 10. No Compulsion To Live
Symphonic metallers TUNGSTEN, the quartet consisting of ex-HAMMERFALL drummer Anders Johannson, his sons Karl (bass, keyboards) and Niklas (guitars), and singer Mike Andersson, caused quite a stir with their latest single ‘Walborg’: countless streams but also more than half a million YouTube view for its music video cement the piece’s grandeur. As fans became even more curious about what else the band had in the works, TUNGSTEN are pleased to bring some more light into the darkness: the aforementioned single was the very first appetizer of their forthcoming album “The Grand Inferno,” which is set for an October 18, 2024 release through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The self-produced 11-song offering emerges as a testament to TUNGSTEN‘s relentless pursuit of sonic excellence. With a rich tapestry of heavy riffs and captivating melodies, the album showcases the band’s dynamic range and songwriting prowess.
Pre-order “The Grand Inferno” in the physical format of your choice (CD-digipak, coloured vinyl), pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive ‘Blood Of The Kings’ and ‘Walborg’ instantly now, here: https://tungsten.rpm.link/grandinfernoPR
Since October 18 still seems to be far away, the group give their supporters a second track of their upcoming album to enjoy today. ‘Blood Of The King’ has quite a heavy feel to it while rooting in the melodic lands of Nordic folk music. The band’s symphonic trademark elements round off the single and make fans even more eager for the arrival of “The Grand Inferno” this autumn.
Anders recalls the song’s creation, “It starts with a heavy riff and then it goes into a more commercial power metal song. Karl wrote most of the song, but I was also involved composing the intro theme.”
Karl adds, “The music is mostly based on the drum beat in the intro. Anders and I were jamming in our rehearsal studio. Anders came up with this drum beat and I just joined in. This later became the main riff of the song. The chorus of this song comes from a dream I had. I immediately recorded the melody on my phone when I woke up. The lyrical theme of the song is about our own heritage. The last couple of years Anders has been very interested in genealogy and found that we have Viking genes so that is what the song is about. One can say that it’s about our heritage.”
The official music video was shot at a cinema and surprises with TUNGSTEN mascot Volfram appearing in a guest role.
Vocalist Mike says, “We decided to ask our multi-talent and guitar slinger, Nick Johansson, to handle the filming of the music video. All of us added ideas for the video and its story. At first, we talked about doing a video more like ‘Northern Lights’ from our “Bliss” album with vikings considering the lyrical theme of the song. Someone mentioned that it would be cool to film it in a cinema. Eventually all of us started to brainstorm ideas to make the video the way we wanted with enough material for Nick to create and direct a cool video.”
“I wanted to direct the video, so it would have a humorous side to it with some added creepiness. I did not want things to go too far though and to become plastic, that was important to me. The song itself is not very dark and I believe the video completes the song in a good way,” remarks Nick.
“The Grand Inferno” – Track Listing:
01. Anger 02. Blood Of The Kings 03. Lullaby 04. The Grand Inferno 05. Falling Apart 06. Walborg 07. Vantablack 08. Me, Myself, My Enemy 09. Chaos 10. Sound Of A Violin 11. Angel Eyes
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated & to listen to ‘Blood Of The Kings’ as well as other new tracks in the »RPM New Releases« playlist on Spotify: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR
Underlining that RPM is more than just a record label but a family for its roster, TUNGSTEN are proud to announce that they have joined forces with well-known booking agent Jörg “Schrörg” Düsedau at Dragon Productions (Scandinavia: Skrikhult Production) for future live activities – a fitting marriage arranged by their new label home itself that goes beyond the borders of distributing music and producing records!
Schrörg comments, “I’m excited to welcome TUNGSTEN to the Dragon Productions family! I’ve known Anders for so long that I can hardly remember when we first met, but I have vivid memories of the fun times we had on the road. I prefer to avoid using superlatives, but the talent in this band is exceptional. TUNGSTEN are destined for great success, and I’m proud and happy to be a part of their journey. These songs will stay with you for long after hearing them!”
RPM managing director Jochen Richert adds, “RPM’s basic philosophy is to get their bands on the road. With a strong partner like Dragon Productions, it’s secured that TUNGSTEN will travel countless miles around the globe and win plenty of metalheads on tour. We will work closely with Schrörg and his team to support this endeavour in the best possible way!”
In the summer of 2024, the band will perform at select Swedish festivals before supporting their label mates SONATA ARCTICA at seven Scandinavian “Clear Cold Beyond” shows alongside FIREWIND and SERIOUS BLACK. TUNGSTEN‘s current itinerary can be found below!
TUNGSTEN live:
05.07.2024 SE Borlänge – Alive Festival 12.07.2024 SE Svedala – SommarRock 03.08.2024 SE Rejmyre – Skogsröjet
“Clear Cold Beyond” European Tour 2024 w/ SONATA ARCTICA, FIREWIND, SERIOUS BLACK Presented by Rock Hard DE + IT, Rock It!, Rock Antenne, musix, metal.de, Spark, La Heavy, RPM & Dragon Productions 12.09.2024 SE Östersund – Gamla Teatern 13.09.2024 NO Trondheim – Tapperiet 14.09.2024 SE Örnsköldsvik – Nöjesbolaget 16.09.2024 NO Oslo – Vulkan Arena 17.09.2024 SE Karlstad – Nöjesfabriken 18.09.2024 SE Huskvarna – Folkets Park 20.09.2024 DK Roskilde – Gimle
About TUNGSTEN
TUNGSTEN are a Swedish symphonic metal band formed by ex-HAMMERFALL drummer Anders Johansson and his sons Niklas and Karl in 2016, completed by vocalist Mike Andersson. With their technical virtuosity and captivating compositions, the band have made a name in the international metal scene, and with their album “The Grand Inferno,” their first release via RPM, they will undoubtedly enrich the metal landscape. The record brims with nothing but energy and innovation, and promises a powerful fusion of dynamic instrumentation and captivating melodies with the quartet’s signature sound being apparent throughout.
TUNGSTEN are: Mike Andersson | vocals Niklas “Nick” Johansson | guitars, backing vocals Karl “Kalle” Johansson | bass, keyboards, screams Anders Johansson | drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 