Nocturna have released a video for “Strangers”, second single taken from the new album “Of Sorcery And Darkness” to be released on April 19th by Scarlet Records.
video by RKH Studio
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;
“Of Sorcery And Darkness” will be released in the following formats:
digipack CD
vinyl LP
digital
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).
Existing at the forefront of the Polish black metal movement, BLAZE OF PERDITION returns in 2024 with their sixth full-length, Upharsin, set for release on April 19th via Metal Blade Records.
A step back from the somewhat unusual direction the band followed on their previous offering — 2020’s The Harrowing Of Hearts — Upharsin takes on a dark and pessimistic tone reflected by its appropriately oppressive music. Haunting and melancholic melodies rooted in traditional black metal meet unforgiving blastbeats and solemn marches, while emotional yet feral vocals aim to bring a proper sense of rage and disgust.
“With Upharsin, we aimed to open the wounds of humanity as a collective,” the band notes. “The album reflects on how humans tend to gravitate towards conflict and strife. How religions and politics as well as other aspects of our everyday life are tainted and driven by our lower instincts as we willingly refuse to learn from our own history, as we choose to ignore and neglect the shadow aspect of our psychic reality, which in turn takes us further and further in the everlasting cycle of violence. It’s probably the most realistic concept we’ve taken on, with noticeably less spiritual leanings and a much more grounded approach.”
Opening track and first single, “W Kwiecie Rozłamu” (English translation: “In Rupture’s Prime”) hits hard from the very first second. “We wanted to begin the album with something striking and punishing, hence why there is no intro to set the mood first. However, most of our songs rarely keep the same mood for the entire duration and this one is no different. It’s probably the most varied composition on Upharsin and what starts with fury and flames, soon transcends into a somewhat sludgy, almost psychedelic abyss to shift once again into fiery blast-driven inferno. Lyrically, it talks about our struggle to keep up with the pace and temptations of our collective, destructive nature. To understand, accept and learn from it instead of suppressing it and allowing it to expand.”
Stream BLAZE OF PERDITION‘s “W Kwiecie Rozłamu” at THIS LOCATION.
Today, Finnish folk metal superstarsKORPIKLAANI are happy to unveil their newest single and music video ‘Oraakkelit‘. It’s the third single from their upcoming new studio album,Rankarumpu, which is due to be released on April 5th, 2024.
KORPIKLAANI‘s twelfth studio album is once again full of tasty folk metal and its different flavors, but it also offers new spices. One of the most wonderful features of Rankarumpu is related to the folk instruments. Although KORPIKLAANI has done one or maybe even a couple of unforgettable things in the realm of folk metal, this time new permanent member Olli Vänskä‘s violin and Sami Perttula‘s accordion may surprise even die-hard fans.
‘Oraakkelit‘ shows a darker, more serious side of KORPIKLAANI and is a nice contrast to the happier, more upbeat previous singles, ‘Saunaan‘ and ‘Aita‘. The mood of the song has been perfectly captured by a mystical and visually stunning video directed by Vesa Ranta.
Singer Jonne commented: “I had never actually written a shuffle based song before and I wanted to try to write such a riff and see how it would work in metal music. Normally it is used a lot in old blues and rock’n’roll music. I was suprised how cool it went and then I thought: what if all the gods all over the world would have a big rock’n’roll dancing party together underground. The idea made me laugh, so I decided to use it!“
Drummer Samuli commented: ”When I heard the first demo I was really excited. This is something very different! I felt there could be a cool shuffle feeling to the rhythm and I started to explored it. There is a great atmosphere in the song. First it lurks enigmatically but then it starts to rock! Drumwise you can use lots of dynamics. It will be a fun live song!”
KORPIKLAANI have massive touring plans for 2024, following an extensive UK tour with Alestorm and Heidevolk in February and March, a North Amercan tour with Visions Of Atlantis & Illumishade (feat. members of Eluveitie) will happen in April and May, and after that several big European Summer festivals await, as well as a European tour towards the end of the year. Scroll down for all confirmed dates.
RANKARUMPU NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2024 w/ Visions Of Atlantis & Illumishade 08.04. US Reading – Reverb 09.04. US New York City – Gramercy Theatre 10.04. US Boston – Brighton Music Hall 11.04. CA Montreal – La Tulipe 12.04. CA Ottawa – Brass Monkey 13.04. CA Toronto – Phoenix Concert Theatre 14.04. US Pontiac – The Crofoot 15.04. US Milwaukee – Turner Hall 17.04. US Minneapolis – Vivarium 18.04. CA Winnipeg – Park Theatre 19.04. CA Regina – The Exchange 20.04. CA Edmonton – Starlite Room 21.04. CA Calgary – Dickens 23.04. CA Vancouver – Rickshaw Theatre 24.04. US Seattle – El Corazon 25.04. US Portland – BossaNova Ballroom 26.04. US San Francisco – DNA Lounge 27.04. US Los Angeles – 1720 28.04. US San Diego – Brick By Brick 29.04. US Phoenix – The Nile 01.05. US Denver – Gothic Theatre 02.05. US Lincoln – The Bourbon Theater 03.05. US Joliet – The Forge 04.05. US Pittsburgh – Mr Smalls Theatre 05.05. US Baltimore – Baltimore Soundstage
CONFIRMED FESTIVALS 2024 29.03. BE Mons – Trolls & Legends Festival 08.05. FR Bruguières – Festival Echos et Merveilles 16.06. DE Merseburg – Merseburger Schlossfestspiele 21.06. CH Grenchen – Summerside Festival 27.-30.06. FR Clisson – Hellfest 05.07. FI Tampere – Tuhdimmat Tahdit 12.07. FR Laundresse – La Guerre Du Son 09.-11.08. FR Cercoux – Festival 666 09.-11.08. UK Walton on Trent – Bloodstock Open Air 09.-11.08. BE Kortrijk – Alcatraz Festival 14.-17.08. DE Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze 15.-17.08. CZ Zámek Moravský Krumlov – Rock Castle 24.08. PT Pindelo dos Milagres – Milagre Metaleiro Open Air 16.09. FR Mennecy – Mennecy Metal Fest
EUROPEAN WINTER TOUR 2024 w/ In Extremo & Rauhbein
15.11. DE Saarbrücken – Garage 16.11. CH Pratteln – Z7 22.11. DE Rostock – Moya 29.11. DE Berlin – Columbiahalle 30.11. DE Bremen – Pier 2 06.12. DE Nürnberg – KIA Metropol Arena 07.12. AT Wien – Gasometer 12.12. DE Bielefeld – Lokschuppen 13.12. DE Hannover – Swiss Life Hall 14.12. DE Dresden – Alter Schlachthof 20.12. DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee 21.12. DE Stuttgart – Porsche Arena 27.12. DE München – Zenith 28.12. DE Wiesbaden – Schlachthof 29.12. DE Erfurt – Messehalle 30.12. DE Köln – Palladium
Experience the celestial harmonies of two iconic voices as Marko Hietala and Tarja Turunen unite in a mesmerizing duet like never before!
Embark on a journey through space and time with ´Left On Mars´, a captivating single and accompanying video that transcends boundaries of genre and imagination. Inspired by a tale of love and longing, this ethereal ballad combines Marko’s emotive lyrics and powerful riffs with Tarja’s hauntingly beautiful vocals, creating a symphony that resonates deep within the soul.
Marko Hietala about the song: “A love song to my wife which ends up uniting two old friends. Even if the song itself sucked, I would be pleased about the result!”
Marko´s guitarist and album producer Tuomas Wäinölä remembers about hearing the song for the first time at Marko’s place in Kuopio: ”It was a strong one immediately. I think Marko had the idea of it being a duet too, straight from the beginning. After that it was just a matter of grinding and demoing it well. The fun part was taking the song to Switzerland on an USB drive, like proper agents! We had this secret meeting when we had a Pratteln Outdoor gig with Tarja, both playing our own sets. And yeah, it was great to see them together on stage and finally singing the same tune again!”
From the initial spark of inspiration to the final note, every moment of ´Left On Mars´ exudes passion and creativity. Marko’s evocative storytelling sets the stage for Tarja’s enchanting performance, forming a cosmic connection that transports listeners to a world beyond imagination.
You’ve been asking for it, and now the time has come! ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA and his band will revisit the past and pay tribute to his legacy by performing a carefully selected set of old fan favorites and iconic metal anthems he co-wrote and recorded in the period 1992 – 2009 during the upcoming “Return to the Raven Realms” tour that will be coming to the EU and UK this summer!
Abbath comments, “I can’t wait to get back on stage this summer to perform some old favorites that I haven’t played for a long, long time. Mark my words – It’s going to be loud and epic!”
ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA is widely regarded as a prominent and iconic figure within black and extreme metal. For nearly three decades he helmed one of the most influential metal bands ever to emerge from Norway – IMMORTAL. With his characteristic voice, signature guitar riffs and undisputed talent as a stage performer, the charismatic singer helped spearhead the Norwegian trio from local clubs to the biggest festival stages in the world.
From the early beginnings with albums such as ‘Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism’ and ‘Battles in the North,’ to chart toppers ‘At the Heart of Winter’ and ‘Sons of Northern Darkness,’ Abbath has through his work with the group left a major imprint on the worldwide phenomenon that is Norwegian Extreme Metal.
‘Return to the Raven Realms Tour’ will be framed by the most spectacular stage show that Abbath ever has undertaken in his nearly 40-year long career.
The full itinerary can be found below!
ABBATH DOOM OCCULTA “Return to the Raven Realms” Summer EU/UK Tour 2024:
20.06 Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Ronda 22.06 Dessel, BE @ Graspop 23.06 London, UK @ Electric Ballroom 24.06 Glasgow, UK @ SWG3 Galvanisers 25.06 Dublin, IRL @ Academy 28.06 Oslo, NO @ Tons of Rock 07.07 Barcelona, SP @ Barcelona Rockfest 31.07 Pratteln, CH @ Z7 01.08 Vienna, AT @ Arena Wien 02.08 Rasnov, RO @ Rockstadt Extreme Fest 03.08 Belgrade, RS @ Dorcol Platz 05.08 Lignano, IT @ Arena Alpe 06.08 Budapest, HU @ Barba Negra 07.08 Jaromer, CZ @ Brutal Assault 08.08 Schlotheim, DE @ Party San Open Air 10.08 Helsinki, FI @ HELLsinki
Live Lineup: Abbath – Guitar & Vocals Ole Andre Farstad – Guitar Andreas Salbu – Bass Ukri Suvilehto – Drums
The members of VLTIMAS are all legends in their own right. David Vincent blessed the sick for Morbid Angel. Rune Eriksen made grand declarations of war as Mayhem’s blasphemous axe man. No one is more vile than Flo Mounier, who’s been drumming for Cryptopsy since their earliest exhumations of the underground. But on their second album together, VLTIMAS are mightier than ever.
EPIC comes out this Friday, March 15. But you can listen to the whole album today on Season of Mist’s YouTube channel in partnership with Decibel magazine.
VLTIMAS have so much history under their bullet belts that some gatekeepers may have wondered if there were any new realms for them to conquer. After all, their first album was voted album of the year by BangerTV.
And yet – their new album boldy declares that these devils aren’t content with merely living among the lords of chaos.Though written amongst the many comforts of Vincent’s Texas ranch (long walks, plenty of booze) EPIC is dark, extreme and unrelenting. Everyone gets to flex their muscles. Rune rips off fiery riffs from all angles on blistering lead single “Miserere”. Though it starts off as a slow burn, Flo blazes through “Scorcher” with blast beats that are so wickedly precise they belong in a museum. David’s growl could still summon underground hordes to the alter of madness, but “Invictus” rolls out a new style of death metal vocals.
“I’ll not be blinded and I’ll never be for sale”, he sings with a grizzled battle cry.
But EPIC amounts to a heck of a lot more than just the sum of VLTIMAS’ devilish talents. It’s a testament to everything these underground heroes have stood for the past 30 years: crushing speed, surgical precession, strength in one’s own convictions.
Cover art by Daniele Valeriani – Additional artwork and layout by Adrien Bousson
Early Praise for EPIC
“VLTIMAS could hardly fail, given the pedigree of everyone involved, but this suggests that Vincent, Eriksen and Mounier are not leaving anything to chance. EPIC live up to its name and then some” – Blabbermouth (8/10)
“An album that is so varied that it could be heard a dozen times yet not be completely comprehended…it is sure to stand as one of the most original studio outings of the year” – Sonic Perspectives(8.9/10)
“A smooth and dynamic ride…you almost feel like you’re listening to the soundtrack to a dark, theatrical play. It has that epic-ness to it, pun intended” – A&P Reacts
“Evil D has blessed us again with the fruits of one of his more recent ventures….a very solid sophomore effort for VLTIMAS” – Metal Injection (8/10)
“EPIC lives up to its title, treading the line between imperious grandeur and ridiculous pomposity” – Metal Hammer(4/5)
“A mix of black and death metal among other influences, EPIC represents a major victory for VLTIMAS’ expanding team” – Metal Insider
“Any time you have a chorus with ‘Die, Die, Die’ – come on – that is classic” – Teeth of Divine
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
To properly coronate the arrival of EPIC, VLTIMAS are touring Europe this March.
VLTIMAS EPIC European Tour2024 March 23: Enschede, NL @ Metropool [TICKETS] March 24: Drachten, NL @ Iduna [TICKETS] March 27: Copenhagen, DK @ Hotel Cecil [TICKETS] March 28: Fredericia, DK @ Tøjhuset [TICKETS] March 29: Oslo, NO @ Inferno Fest [TICKETS] March 31: Athens, GR @ Kyttaro Live [TICKETS]
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, RUÏM), 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
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 ) 