Finland’s gothic/doom shapeshifters HANGING GARDEN share the first single from their forthcoming live EP “Citylight Sessions”, due for release on April 19th via Agonia Records. The EP sees the band shifting towards intimate dark rock & atmospheric synth-pop on five remade tracks off “The Garden”. Watch the video for “The Fireside” recorded at Paja & Bureau, below.
On “Citylight Sessions”, the Finnish ensemble unveils a journey into the urban and the ethereal. The distinctive release showcases a series of alternative renditions of five tracks from their critically acclaimed album, 2023’s “The Garden”; bringing a fresh, atmospheric perspective to their signature sound.
In an unprecedented move, HANGING GARDEN transforms its sonic landscape by stripping away the familiar cloak of gothic doom metal. Instead, the band embraces a lush symphony of synths, ethereal guitar soundscapes, and drum machines, creating an intimate and hauntingly beautiful experience.
“Citylight Sessions” was recorded during an intimate live performance at the contemporary gallery space of the design company Paja & Bureau. The juxtaposition of HANGING GARDEN‘s haunting melodies against the backdrop of Paja & Bureau‘s innovative design space creates an experience that is delightfully distinct from conventional music venues. The entire performance was filmed and is expected to be unveiled in video format with the EP’s premiere.
The mixing, mastering and cover artwork were done by Toni Hatakka.
Tracklisting: 1. The Journey (Live Remake) 2. The Four Winds (Live Remake) 3. The Garden (Live Remake) 4. The Fireside (Live Remake) 5. The Construct (Live Remake)
Line-up: Toni Hatakka – vocals Riikka Hatakka – vocals Jussi Hämäläinen – guitars, vocals Mikko Kolari – guitars Kimmo Tukiainen – guitars Nino Hynninen – keyboards Jussi Kirves – bass Antti Ruokola – drums
Prepare for a journey beyond the stars as progressive metal band Symakya unveils their latest lyric video, “Lunar Obsession”. This track offers a glimpse into their forthcoming album, “Project 11: The Landing”, set for release on April 5th, 2024, via Wormholedeath.
“Lunar Obsession” invites you to travel, it’s an evocation of man’s thirst for knowledge and curiosity, but above all the possibility of finally realizing the dream of conquering the moon. Thanks to subtle orchestral scoring and the undeniable art of riffing, the song allows us to imagine a launch into orbit, giving way to the beauty of space. Alternating classy and majestic verses with epic choruses, “Lunar Obsession” highlights the space conquest fantasized by Jules Vernes and made possible by JFK.
Buckle up and join Symakya on their interstellar adventure through the “Lunar Obsession” video:
The twentieth century saw the emergence of a thirst for knowledge, human curiosity, and, above all, the possibility of finally realizing the dream of all scientists. In a speech to Congress in 1961, J. F. Kennedy declared that man would walk on the moon by the end of the 1960s.
For the first time, the dream became reality. The imagination of writer Jules Vernes (1828-1905) and filmmaker Georges Méliès (1861-1938) was no exaggeration. It was against the backdrop of the Cold War, which pitted the two post-war mega-powers, the USA and the USSR, against each other, that the project came to fruition. But the space adventure, whether Russian (Sputnik 1 created by Sergei Korolev, then manned flights with the dog Laïka inside Sputnik 2, or Yuri Gagarin on the Vostok 1 mission on April 12, 1961) or American, is above all the result of the technological explosion brought about by the Second World War and the scientific superiority of the Third Reich. After all, Nazi engineers were the inventors of the Rheinbote V4 multi-stage rocket, launched from a 64° inclined ramp.
We will briefly present the geniuses of astronautical science and the plans of the USSR (former space agency RKA or Rosaviakosmos) and the USA (NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for the conquest of space. We’ll look at the role of pioneers Constantin Tsiolkovski and Werner Von Braun (Nazi aeronauts rescued as part of Operation Paperclip, designed by the American agency JIOA to work on new-generation rockets at Fort Bliss, Texas), to better understand the genesis of manned missions, while also taking a look at NASA’s Moon Blink project.
Symakya, formed in October 2008 by Matthieu Morand, Kevin Kazek, and Thomas Das Neves, merges diverse musical backgrounds to create a powerful blend of prog, melody, and intensity. With bass virtuoso Julien Kuhn now on board, the band leverages their extensive musical experience.
Matthieu Morand, frontman of Elvaron and guitarist-composer for Akroma and Dusk Of Delusion, brings extensive experience, with 5 albums released since 1997 and performances alongside acts like Iron Maiden and Helloween. Kevin Kazek, frontman of Seyminhol, boasts a rich history with 5 albums since 2002 and collaborations with artists like Lord Siggi and Alexander Landenburg (Annihilator). Thomas Das Neves, renowned for his drumming in Deficiency, Seyminhol, and Heavenly, joins Symakya with a track record including the album “Virus” and major festival performances. Bassist Julien Kuhn, noted for contributions to Diamond Dust and Surtr, demonstrates his skills honed at the Music Academy International and the Conservatoire de Metz.
Symakya’s project delves into ancient astronaut theory, drawing from the holy bible, classical literature, and works of Greek and Roman writers. Crafting a universe of conquest, beliefs, and mythology, their music explores metaphysical and ufological themes throughout history.
In “Project Eleven,” the band embarks on an inner adventure, exploring human evolution and truth. Influenced by NWOBHM and ’90s power metal, their music integrates orchestral elements, offering a touch of progressive metal. Inspired by bands like Iron Maiden, Tool, and more, Symakya promises a compelling sonic journey.
“Project 11,” set for April 2024 release, follows the acclaimed debut album “Majestic 12: Open Files.” Produced by Symakya and mastered by Mika Jussila, this album continues the band’s legacy of excellence.
Symakya Lineup:
Kevin Alexandre Stanislas Kazek: Vocals Matthieu Morand: Guitars, Keys & Orchestrations Thomas Das Neves: Drums Julien Kuhn: Bass & Fretless Bass
Intelligent Music Project, the Bulgarian-based supergroup comprising world-famous rock musicians, is set to launch their much-awaited eighth album “Miracles Beyond” on May 15th.
The band has just released their first single, offering a fascinating preview of the musical journey that awaits. While the album boasts the presence of globally celebrated rock stars, it’s noteworthy that the lead vocalist for the single “Shine for You” is none other than Slavin Slavchev. Serving as the band’s primary vocalist in live performances, Slavchev, also an X-Factor winner, emerges as the driving force behind the track with his exceptional and powerful vocal prowess.
As mentioned, “Miracles Beyond” features an ensemble of legendary musicians, including Simon Phillips (TOTO, Protocol, The Who, Judas Priest), Joseph Williams (TOTO), John Payne (ex-Asia), and Carl Sentence (Nazareth), each bringing their unique flair to the project. The artwork shared on the band’s Facebook page has already ignited curiosity and excitement, hinting at the magic “Miracles Beyond” is poised to deliver. Intelligent Music Project captured attention as Bulgaria’s representative at Eurovision 2022 in Turin, showcasing their versatility on the international stage with their song “Intention.” Milen Vrabevski, MD, producer, songwriter, founder of the project, and the mastermind behind the band, expressed his joy at the collaboration with top-notch musicians. He shared, “I’m so happy to present our eighth album with yet another magnificent line-up!! So great to have all these musicians on board again. This is Simon Phillips’s 6th album with us, John Payne’s 5th and Joseph Williams’s 4th. Such a star turnout is a special privilege for me, and I truly hope to bring to the audience some delight in those strange times. Enjoy our next world-class product!”
The “Miracles Beyond” lineup also includes the Grammy Award Nominee Ernest Tibbs and the producer’s favorite Richard Grisman. Besides the aforementioned musicians, over the years the band has seen a stellar lineup, including John Lawton (Uriah Heep, Lucifer’s Friend), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Michael Schenker’s Group), Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Toto, Stevie Wonder and more), Tim Pierce (Joe Cocker, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and more), Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath), and Todd Sucherman (Styx).
Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to vocalist Elina Siirala of Leaves’ Eyes about their upcoming album ‘Myths of Fate‘ which will be released March 22, 2024 via AFM Records
Elina also talks about the differences vocally between her and former vocalist Liv Kristine as well as fan acceptance over the years.
When asked about the new album lyrical content “This album is a little bit more towards this mystical and magical objects and people and places. As you know our previous album for example, ‘the last Viking’ was a little bit more focused on the historical side of things and it was a concept album battles and everything. So this (Album) is a little bit away from that topic which was also I think a nice refreshing thing for us to do a little bit something different. It’s not a concept album but of course ‘Myths of Fate’ it builds around these magical and mystical topics.”
When asked if all the fans today are comfortable with her taking over leads vocals after 6 years from Liv Kristine “You have to ask the fans. For me personally I felt very accepted from the beginning. For me it was very clear that I needed to come to the band as myself. I’m a completely different Vocalist, different kind of performer. For me, it was taking the time and trying to do my best in the situation back then. And of course now many years later we have three albums and whatnot we’ve been touring over the world. It’s a different position now for me but I never really thought about it like that. When we played live, which was like two weeks after I joined the band it was always great and I never had any any really negative things.”
When asked how her vocals differs from Liv Kristine “I can only speak again from my side how I see it but uh I would say that probably my voice is a bit stronger. In the sense of my forte is not singing with a very light and head voicy head stuff that’s not my forte. And of course I have a classical education. I don’t want to be classified as only one thing or another thing uh and even on this album I think I’m showing that versatility using my voice uh but that yes certain things will never be my forte. The whole timber of the voice is different.”
Four years after bringing “The Last Viking” to Valhalla with their previous opus, Leaves’ Eyes resurrect with “Myths Of Fate” to celebrate their 20th year of existence. With their ninth studio album, the Germany-based artists consolidate their leading position in the symphonic metal universe. Powerful, epic and impressive – Leaves’ Eyes once again merge traditional metal genres by fusing elements of folk, gothic, and classical music into a captivating sonic masterpiece.
LEAVES’ EYES is: Elina Siirala – Vocals Alexander Krull – Vocals Micki Richter – Guitar Luc Gebhardt – Guitar Joris Nijenhuis – Drums
CD1 : 1. Forged by Fire 2. Realm of Dark Waves 3. Who Wants to Live Forever 4. Hammer of the Gods 5. In Eternity 6. Fear the Serpent 7. Goddess of the Night 8. Sons of Triglav 9. Elder Spirit 10. Einherjar 11. Sail with the Dead
SIX FEET UNDER will unleash their pulverizing fourteenth studio album, Killing For Revenge, on May 10th through Metal Blade Records.
From the opening moments of first single, “Know-Nothing Ingrate,” which kicks off the record, it’s immediately clear that SIX FEET UNDER focused their energies into something that’s as brutal, lyrically visceral, and musically dazzling as one would hope for from the ground-breaking Tampa-bred death metal. Killing for Revenge, a gnarly beast of a record that’s not for the faint-hearted, dishes up nightmare-inducing imagery courtesy of frontman Chris Barnes via the vocalist’s trademark guttural vocals. Both the album title and darkly detailed red-hued album cover by artist Vince Locke are perfect containers for the brutality within.
“I chose the title Killing For Revenge after we completed writing and noticed that all the lyrics and storylines had a common theme of revenge. Revenge by human or revenge by nature,” Barnes says. “The album title describes the flow of the stories within the lyrics perfectly.“
Killing for Revenge marks the second album that Barnes and guitarist Jack Owen (ex-Cannibal Corpse) have created together since reuniting for 2020’s Nightmares Of The Decomposed. Owen also produced Killing For Revenge. “We worked well together in Cannibal Corpse,” recalls Barnes. “I loved him to death as a friend and a musician, so I’m really comfortable giving him the reins because I just have such great respect for him as an artist.”
SIX FEET UNDER was initially formed as a side project for Barnes during his final years with the band that he co-founded, Cannibal Corpse. It became the frontman’s sole focus in 1995, coinciding with the release of their debut, Haunted. Only Barnes remains from SIX FEET UNDER‘s original incarnation, but the quality has remained remarkably consistent. The current lineup of Barnes, guitarists Owen and Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell, and drummer Marco Pitruzzella make for a devastating unit.
The songs on Killing For Revenge dive headfirst into subjects that are as gleefully vile, graphic, and downright grotesque as you might dream of from a Barnes/Owen project. After all, the two men were vital cogs in the Cannibal Corpse band that released such delightfully offensive death metal classics as Butchered At Birth and Tomb Of The Mutilated. SIX FEET UNDER also recorded a cover of Nazareth‘s “Hair Of The Dog,” which appears on all formats of Killing For Revenge with the exception of vinyl.
As a first preview of the record, today the band unveils “Know Nothing Ingrate.” Notes Owen, “This music was written early in the writing process. Wanting to keep the aggression of a prior SIX FEET UNDER song like ‘Amputator,’ I wrote music in the style of early Dark Angel or Kreator, who always had cool driving drumbeats. I had all the riffs in my head as I wrote the drums in a couple hours. Lyrically, I kicked around a phrase that fit the stop parts throughout the song. After coming up with ‘Know Nothing Ingrate,’ the lyrics wrote themselves. It’s basically about online trolls who voice their uneducated and unnecessarily spiteful review of any artist’s output. You’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m entitled to mine.”
Watch a lyric video for SIX FEET UNDER‘s “Know-Nothing Ingrate” at THIS LOCATION.
Killing For Revenge, which features a guest appearance by guitarist Jason Suecof on “Neanderthal,” was mixed and mastered by Chaz Najjar at Badlands Recording in Denver, Colorado.
Killing for Revenge Track Listing: 01. Know-Nothing Ingrate 02. Accomplice to Evil Deeds 03. Ascension 04. When the Moon Goes Down in Blood 05. Hostility Against Mankind 06. Compulsive 07. Fit of Carnage 08. Neanderthal (Guest Lead Guitar Solo – Jason Suecof) 09. Judgement Day 10. Bestial Savagery 11. Mass Casualty Murdercide 12. Spoils of War 13. Hair of the Dog (Nazareth Cover – CD + Digital Only)
SIX FEET UNDER: Chris Barnes – vocals Jack Owen – rhythm guitar Ray Suhy – lead guitar Jeff Hughell – bass Marco Pitruzzella – drums
Black Tusk have done more than their fair share of hard living. In their 19 years as a band, they’ve switched labels and lost members while navigating the bumps in the road that come with being touring musicians. But their new album bulldozes past any and all obstacles. The latest single off The Way Forward leaves the taste for sin behind, though that doesn’t mean this sludge metal crew have cleaned up their act. “Dance on Your Grave” sounds nastier than ever.
“Everything that happens in our lives is something we can learn from”, says Black Tusk guitarist and vocalist Andrew Fidler. “It will sink you or make you wiser. This song is about that”.
James May has stomped around the swamps of Savannah, Georgia, since he was a young punk. But the Black Tusk drummer moved away to Athens during the course of the pandemic. It was a struggle, but the change in scenery helped him work through his struggles.
Everyday is amazement that I made it, May shouts alongside his longtime bandmate Fidler, backed by the steadfast thump of his double kick drum.
“Sometimes the worst things you’ve ever seen or done end up being the best thing that’s ever happened to you”, says May, who wrote the lyrics to “Dance on Your Grave”. “It’s sort of a self-exorcism. You gotta be on the edge to know where the cliff is”.
The Way Forward marks Black Tusk’s first album as a four piece. But “Dance on Your Grave” shows that these guys are already old friends. Fidler and May used to run in the same touring circles as new bassist Derek Lynch. Lynch makes himself right at home, too, cracking open a cold beer before kicking off this jam session with a filthy bass groove.
“‘Dance on Your Grave’ was the absolute first song from the new record that I played with the whole band”, Lynch says. “We worked on it at a spot in Athens. It kind of gave me a frame of reference for what they were trying to accomplish with a new batch of songs, pushing the tempo while still maintaining a super heavy low end”.
The video was shot at Hidden Audio, which serves as Black Tusk’s home base. The studio is run by frequent collaborator and now official member Chris “Scary” Adams. Not only did Scary create the video for “Dance on Your Grave”. He produced The Way Forward and makes this the band’s first album to feature two guitars. Right away, the chemistry between him and Fidler jumps through the roof. After all, Fidler did help build this studio with his own two hands. On “Dance on Your Grave”, Fidler lays down firm riffs so that Scary can rip into a solo that never stops climbing.
Cover artwork by Brian Mercer
Tracklist 1. Out Of Grasp – 2:47 2. Brushfire – 2:22 [LISTEN] 3. Harness (The Alchemist) – 2:35 4. Lessons Through Deception – 2:14 5. Breath Of Life – 5:12 6. Dance On Your Grave – 2:54 [WATCH] 7. Against The Undertow – 3:06 8. Lift Yourself – 3:31 9. Ocean Of Obsidian – 2:50 10. Flee From Dawn – 3:38 11. The Way Forward – 4:40 Total runtime: 35:54
“The big theme of this record is putting your life back together.” That’s Black Tusk guitarist/vocalist Andrew Fidler talking about the band’s new album, The Way Forward. “When everything seems like it’s against you, put your head down and push through. Take those bad things that are happening and use them to help create.”
The Way Forward might be the Savannah swamp metal crew’s seventh album, but it marks many firsts for Black Tusk. It’s their first with their new lineup, which sees guitarist Chris “Scary” Adams and bassist Derek Lynch joining Fidler and drummer James May. Which also makes it Black Tusk’s first record with a two-guitar lineup. “We were able to add leads and harmonies and all kinds of stuff on the new record that we haven’t done in the past,” Fidler says. “As far as our records go, this one has the most guitar work.”
You can hear it in the squealing solo of “Dance on Your Grave,” the killer harmonies on ripper “Harness (The Alchemist),” and the glorious dual guitar interplay of the powerful title track.
“‘The Way Forward’ is my favorite song on the record,” Fidler says. “It’s based on a personal experience that everyone can probably relate to. I got divorced in 2020, and I kinda felt like my entire world was collapsing when that happened. But I pulled myself out of it. I realized that this one thing ending in my life isn’t the end of everything. I’m gonna find a way forward. I’m gonna figure out how to live my life and create and be happy and make new relationships. Which is what I’ve done.”
In true Black Tusk fashion, the new lineup has expanded their triple-vocal approach to quadruple. “Everyone is doing vocals,” Fidler says. “That’s always been a thing in Black Tusk. Derek said he’d never done heavy vocals before, so I was like, ‘Well, here’s the mic. Here’s some words. Yell at it and see if you like it.’ I was blown away the first time he did it. It sounded good as fuck.”
That’s Lynch on lead single “Brushfire,” a song for which he wrote the main riffs and lyrical concept. “That was my first real contribution to the band,” the bassist says. “Thematically, I wanted the aggressiveness of the lyrics to keep with the idea of pushing forward even when the world is trying to drag you down. The mood of the lyrics needed to match the pulverizing tempo of the song.”
The lyrics for second single “Dance on Your Grave” were written by May, who moved from Savannah to Athens, GA, in the time since Black Tusk’s last album. “It’s about his struggles through Covid and what this lifestyle can do to people,” Fidler says. “It’s about getting past the party lifestyle and continuing to do things that are creative.”
Meanwhile, “Breath of Life” distills Black Tusk’s lyrical philosophy into a righteous five-minute pummeling. “Scary came up with the main riff of this song, and it’s one of my favorite riffs on the record,” Fidler says. “I wrote the lyrics, and it’s just about darkness crushing everything. The world is a fucked-up place that we have to navigate through. That’s what a lot of Black Tusk songs are about.”
Black Tusk recorded The Way Forward at Adams’ own Hidden Audio studio just outside of Savannah. Adams engineered the album and the whole band produced. “I actually helped him build the studio in the detached garage next to his house,” Fidler explains. “Me and my carpentry company went out there to do it, and Scary helped.”
“We had about 90% of the riffs and song structures going into the studio, while still experimenting with ideas and inspirations,” Adams explains. “Sometimes we completely reworked parts, which made all the difference. For example, early versions of ‘Breath of Life’ and ‘The Way Forward’ are quite different than the record, and I love where they ended up. Though we did use a few effects and synths here and there for texture and space, to me this record still feels raw and powerful. It captures the feeling of being at a Black Tusk show.”
The cover art for The Way Forward was done by Brian Mercer, who also created the sleeve for Black Tusk’s 2018 album, T.C.B.T. “T.C.B.T. had a dark cover because it was a dark time for the band,” Fidler says, referring to the period immediately after the passing of their longtime friend and bassist Jonathan Athon. “This time, it’s full blown, full-color Black Tusk. Brian Mercer and James collaborated on the concept, and Brian really knocked it out of the park.”
“The title is kind of a double play,” Fidler says. “It’s the first record with the new lineup, and this is the direction we’re taking the band in. We’ve been doing Black Tusk for 19 years now, and we still love it. That’s why we called it The Way Forward.”
Line-up:
Andrew Fidler: guitar, vocals James May: drums, vocals Derek Lynch: bass, vocals Chris “Scary” Adams: guitar, vocals
Recording Studio Hidden Audio
Producer/sound engineer Chris “Scary” Adams
Mixing studio and engineer Chris “Scary” Adams
Mastering studio and engineer Brad Boatright at Audiosiege
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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