Power/Groove Metal trio LOKHEIRA is set to ignite the music scene with their scorching new lyric video for “Beast Within (Wrath).” This adrenaline-fueled single is a compelling glimpse into their forthcoming album, “Dark of the Night,” slated for release on February 23, 2024, via Wormholedeath.
“Beast Within (Wrath)” is a sonic exploration of wrath, one of the seven capital sins, vividly capturing the havoc caused by unchained rage. The lyrics deliver an unfiltered and raw tale, immersing listeners in a turbulent inner struggle against an overpowering force.
Lokheira’s musical journey behind “Dark of the Night” is as compelling as the album itself. Lead vocalist Irene Mavroudis Ramaglino had a gripping dream about the title track, “In The Dark of The Night,” envisioning its melody and penning its lyrics in the dead of night. Collaborating with her husband, Rob Ramaglino, and his brother, Josh Ramaglino, whose electrifying guitar solo features prominently in the song, they birthed the album’s gripping compositions.
Lineup: Rob Ramaglino: Guitar, Drums, Harsh Vocals Irene Mavroudis Ramaglino: Lead Vocals George Mavroudis: Bass, Vocals
“Under the Aimless Spheres” is a visceral exploration of existential angst and spiritual dissolution. The new single echoes the French black metal band’s enigmatic mastery and captivating lyrical depth.
The lyrics, laden with poetic intensity, evoke a journey through the tormented landscapes of the soul. “We hope in her loins for the assumption, The oath is palavered at her breast”. Merrimack tempt the divide between faith and disillusionment, confronting the weight of our cryptic existence.
With each writhing verse, Merrimack slinks along the contours of existential despair, casting a light on the ferments of stone and sighs of the earth. “Under the Aimless Spheres” is as challenging as it is extreme, a tumultuous dance of divine contempt and mortal longing. Yet it’s also familiar, thrilling territory for a band that’s always cutting along the fine line between what’s sacred and profane.
Track-list 1. Sulphurean Synods (6:42) [WATCH] 2. Sublunar Despondency (7:07) 3. Dead and Distant Clamors (5:35) [LISTEN] 4. Wounds that Heal (6:44) 5. Starving Crowns (8:05) 6. Under the Aimless Spheres (7:01) [LISTEN] 7. Embalmer’s Wine (6:59) Total: 48:13
MERRIMACK are back with their new album ‘Of Grace and Gravity’. Their third release for Season of Mist arrives after the re-print of their long sold-out debut ‘Ashes of Purification’, which followed the sizeable impact that their last album, ‘Omegaphilia’, had on the Black Metal Scene.
Merrimack can be categorised as extreme traditionalists that are driven by a burning desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. The band was founded by guitarist Perversifier a.k.a. Amfortas in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialise or turn the style into a self-parody. Introduced by a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words.
Although Merrimack decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length ‘Ashes of Purification’, the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time. With the following albums, ‘Of Entropy and Life Denial’ (2006) and ‘Grey Rigorism’ (2009), Merrimack closed ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French black metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with MARDUK and NACHTMYSTIUM in 2009.
After recording ‘The Acausal Mass’ (2012) in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESTRÖYER 666) again, Merrimack embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons MAYHEM and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze as well as Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada. With their previous album, ‘Omegaphilia’, Merrimack were breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre. While ignoring epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, the French focused on razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements.
The ensemble now presents their latest album ‘Of Grace and Gravity’, an aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens. Wallowing guitars and hypnotized passages of blasting drums collide with gravity-bound atoms in oblivious occlusion. Merrimack, in their enigmatic mastery, expose the futility of belief in occult ministries and slashes at the mask of the sky. The listener, questioned in their faith of the shadows and occult idols. Dare believe in the sulfurous whispers echoing through this blackened masterpiece.
Released yesterday “Sad Time,” a highly anticipated single from ARADIA, which heralds the brand new album in full swing! Sad Time, is an entry into the wonderful world of Aradia, with a very “new wave of British heavy metal” style that proposes us to the sound of historical bands, but with their own idea of conveying their ideals and feelings to the fans! The single is released by Wanikiya Record/Promotion, is available digitally, on all the best music stores, on the label’s Japanese shop and on Crash Sound Distribution! Ready to pick up axes and shields and enter into battle with the Aradia???
In November 2019, Como guitarist Francesco Rasero decided to start a new musical project inspired by melodic metal and hard rock. Needless to say, the difficulties due to the 2020 pandemic also slowed down the birth of Aradia. The official lineup consists of : Stefano Cheville Perini ( vocals ) Francesco Rasero ( lead and rhythm guitar ) Marco Hellion Gilardoni ( lead and rhythm guitar ) Andrea Fumagalli ( bass guitar ) Cristian Sampietro ( drums ) Special mention : Paolo Gilardoni ( bass) who was a founder but had to leave the project due to family commitments During the first 2 years of activity despite the periods of stop already mentioned, the band cut its teeth jammando on classics by Iron Maiden, Saxon and Judas Priest ( but also Motley Crue ) and soon the need to write their own music was born.
Following last year’s massive sellout debut shows in North America, Germany’s currently reigning leaders of heavy metal, POWERWOLF, are thrilled to announce their highly anticipated return to western shores! The Platinum-selling, top charting band will return in 2024 on their very first full North American tour, featuring support from Canadian power metal frontrunners and label mates UNLEASH THE ARCHERS. The tour will begin in Los Angeles, CA at The Hollywood Palladium on August 29 and visit a slew of major North American cities, coming to an end in Laval, QC at Place Bell on September 15.
Tickets for POWERWOLF‘s 2024 North American tour go on sale to the general public this Friday, February 9 at 10:00 AM local time, with select pre-sales launching tomorrow, February 7 via POWERWOLF,Spotify, Blabbermouth and Knotfest. For tickets and more information, make sure to check local venue listings and www.powerwolf.net/tickets.
If last year’s world-class debut North American performances were any indication, fans know that tickets for this rare and awe-inspiring experience will sell out at near lightning speed! POWERWOLF‘s first shows in New York City and Montreal sold out within days, so local fans should not hesitate to witness the ‘Wolf in 2024.
POWERWOLF says about their return to North America: “Last year, our debut in America and Canada left us spellbound, facing sold-out venues and an incredible crowd. The energy was unreal, and we didn’t want to miss it again. It’s going to be sheer madness! This tour marks the official live debut of songs from our upcoming album – don’t miss the excitement!”
POWERWOLF 2024 North American Tour w/ UNLEASH THE ARCHERS: 8/29 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Hollywood Palladium 8/31 – Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre 9/03 – Chicago, IL @ The Riviera Theatre 9/04 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora Theatre 9/05 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore 9/07 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus Landing 9/08 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 9/09 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore 9/12 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore 9/13 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium 9/14 – New York City, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount 9/15 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell
POWERWOLF are undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and successful heavy metal bands of the last decade. Multiple #1 album chart entries, gold and platinum records, huge sold-out arena shows, as well as headline slots at the biggest festivals have paved their way. In less than 20 years of band history, POWERWOLF has made it to the very highest league of heavy metal.
POWERWOLF has conquered countless stages at the world’s biggest summer festivals, and their last Wolfsnächte headline tours (2019, 2022), as well as their aforementioned North American debut in early 2023, were almost completely sold out – resulting in a massive triumph. They have performed headlining sets at Wacken and Summer Breeze, as well as held premium slots at genre festival giants such as Hellfest, Graspop, Masters of Rock and many more, captivating enormous audiences. No other German metal band has been able to write a success story even remotely comparable in recent years!
Following their onslaught of North America, POWERWOLF will embark on their most impressive European tour yet in celebration of their highly anticipated 2024 studio album. Amid 16 shows in total, the tour will visit colossal venues in Munich, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Hamburg and Antwerp. POWERWOLF will be accompanied by Swedish heavy metal legends HammerFall as special guests, with support from viral rising stars, dwarven metallers and label mates WIND ROSE. See below for all currently confirmed European tour dates.
POWERWOLF Wolfsnächte – Europe 2024 w/ HammerFall, Wind Rose: 04.10.24 DE – Hamburg / Barclays Arena 05.10.24 NL – Amsterdam / AFAS Live 06.10.24 BE – Antwerp / Lotto Arena 10.10.24 LU – Esch Sur Alzette / Rockhal 11.10.24 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle 12.10.24 DE – Frankfurt / Festhalle 14.10.24 IT – Milan / Alcatraz 16.10.24 CH – Zürich / The Hall 17.10.24 FR – Paris / Zenith 18.10.24 DE – Oberhausen / Rudolf Weber Arena 19.10.24 DE – Berlin / Velodrom 21.10.24 PL – Krakow / Tauron Arena 22.10.24 HU – Budapest / MVM Dome 23.10.24 AT – Vienna / Gasometer 25.10.24 DE – Munich / Olympiahalle 26.10.24 CZ – Prague / Sportovni Hala Fortuna
Order Special Album InterludiumHERE – Order Studio Album Call Of The WildHERE – Order the Live Performance Album The Monumental Mass – A Cinematic Metal EventHERE
About POWERWOLF: The story of the frontrunners of today’s German metal scene, POWERWOLF, began in 2004 and only knows one direction: ever upwards! Their trajectory may seem like something out of a fairytale, but it is the result of the band embodying the highest quality of heavy metal in the universe. Outstanding album production, bombastic live shows and a tireless drive for perfection on and behind the stage are what this exceptional band is known for around the world.
Over the course of their career, the band has not only fascinated metal fans, but has also won over international press and critics. Countless cover stories in the most important magazines, critics’ awards such as the Metal Hammer Award, and effusive album and concert reviews underpin POWERWOLF‘s outstanding international status.
With the current studio album, Call Of The Wild, the special album, Interludium, and a new album on the way this year, plus the band’s upcoming international tours impressing audiences in 2024, it is clear that the metal world continues to be under the spell of the Wolfpack. POWERWOLF‘s heavy metal holy mass is unstoppable!
POWERWOLF are: Attila Dorn – vocals Falk Maria Schlegel – organ Charles Greywolf – guitar Matthew Greywolf – guitar Roel van Helden – drums
RIFFORIA release “The Devil’s Sperm”, the second single taken from the new studio album “Axeorcism” (street date 23.02 2024 – Metalville Records).
“The Devils’s Sperm” is the story of a monumental battle epic from a bygone era and world. The song combines traditional heavy metal with its heroic choruses and outstanding guitar solos with the sounds of today. Singer Nils Patrik Johansson (Astral Doors, Lion’s Share, ex Civil War) once again demonstrates the full range of his exceptional skills and charisma.
TUCK FROM HELL did a sensational album debut 12 years ago with “Thrashing”. The band was already a celebrated live act so the road to glory was there.
However, destiny had other plans and the band was put to rest. Almost.
Drummer and band leader Fredrik Johansson and guitar players Petrus Granar and Marcus Bengts continued to write music.
When Petrus Granar was invited join to the band Civil War, featuring Fredriks father Nils Patrik Johansson on vocals, the band turned into a duo.
“It felt really strange to sit on a bunch of kick ass thrash songs without doing anything with them. Our singer Niclas Ingels had no time to focus on music due to his family situation so what to do? From out of nowhere my dad, Nils Patrik, said: what the hell, I can sing for you. Let’s make a full album.
I was a bit sceptic at first since he’s a pure heavy metal singer but then I realized that in the beginning most thrash bands had “real” heavy metal vocals not growl.
The rest is, or will be history. We changed name to Rifforia, started the recordings, had a lot of fun and with mixing genius Martin Haglund in charge everything went smooth. Petrus Granar also came back to play some guitar on the album. He was a lot of help.” (Fredrik Johansson)
“Axeorcism” delivers ten statements of real strong, modern Heavy Metal and is going to continue the successful story of Swedish Hard and Heavy releases on Metalville Records.
Track Listing A Game That You Don’t Understand Sea Of Pain Well Of Life Built To Destroy The Devil’s Sperm CC Cowboys Evilized Rifforia Welcome To Hell Death Row Child
Line Up Nils Patrik Johansson- Vocals Marcus Bengts- Guitars, bass Magnus Fredriksson- Guitars Fredrik Johansson- Drums
Legendary heavy metal titans ACCEPT announce their new album, entitled Humanoid, to be released on April 26, 2024, with the first single and video to be released on February 28! The upcoming masterpiece was once again produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by critically acclaimed heavy metal producer Andy Sneap. Starting today, fans can immerse themselves in the upcoming album on a newly launched interactive website, where they can reprogram the robot that is featured on the album cover, and discover different parts of the album in the process. Pre-save Humanoid now to gain access to the website HERE!
Together with the album announcement, ACCEPT has also revealed a massive European headline tour with more than 20 shows across the continent for autumn 2024! This summer, ACCEPT will also return to some of the world’s most important rock and metal festivals, like Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and more, following their South American spring tour. Make sure to secure your tickets and check out the cover artwork for Humanoid below!
Wolf Hoffmann on Humanoid: “I am extremely pleased with Humanoid. The album has great energy throughout! Working with the best metal producer, Andy Sneap, was once again a lot of fun! We are a great team. We all love the new album and look forward to playing it live! Hope our fans will like it as much as we do.”
Formed in 1976, ACCEPT was one of the first big German metal bands alongside Scorpions, influencing a generation of bands and gaining international recognition by charting at #1 and selling gold. ACCEPT has remained at the top, storming the charts with their previous album, Too Mean To Die (2022), peaking at #2 on the Official German Album Charts, and boasting over a million monthly Spotify listeners.
South American Headline Tour: 29.04.24 UY – Montevideo / Complejo Sala Show 01.05.24 BR – Sao Paulo / Carioca Club 03.05.24 AR – Buenos Aires / Teatro Flores 05.05.24 CL – Santiago / Coliseo 07.05.24 PE – Lima / CC Festiva 09.05.24 CO – Bogota / Royal Center 11.05.24 SV – San Salvador / Gimnasio Adolfo Pineda Santa Tecla 13.05.24 MX – Mexico City / Circo Volador
European Headline Tour: 17.10.24 TR – Istanbul / KCP 28.10.24 FR – Toulouse / Le Bikini 29.10.24 FR – Lyon / Transbordeur 31.10.24 BE – Antwerp / Trix 01.11.24 FR – Paris / Elysee Montmartre 02.11.24 CH – Lausanne / Les Docks 03.11.24 CH – Zurich / Komplex 05.11.24 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 06.11.24 DE – Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle 07.11.24 DE – Langen / Stadthalle 09.11.24 AT – Vienna / Simm City 12.11.24 DE – Munich / Backstage 13.11.24 DE – Berlin / Huxleys 15.11.24 DE – Neu-Ulm / Ratiopharm Arena 16.11.24 DE – Geiselwind / Eventcenter 21.11.24 DE – Bremen / Aladin 25.11.24 NO – Oslo / Rockefeller 26.11.24 SE – Gothenburg / Trädgår’n 29.11.24 SE – Karlstad / Nöjesfabriken 30.11.24 SE – Stockholm / Fryshuset
Festivals 2024: 05.-08.06.24 PL – Gdansk / Mystic Festival 19.-22.06.24 DK – Copenhagen / Copenhell 20.-22.06.24 ES – Cartagena / Rock Imperium Festival 26.-29.06.24 ES – Viveiro / Resurrection Festival 27.-30.06.24 FR – Clisson / Hellfest 11.-15.07.24 HU – Dunaújváros / Rockmaraton 12.-14.07.24 BG – Mogilovo / Midalidare Rock in the Wine Valley 14.07.24 CZ – Visovice / Masters Of Rock 20.07.24 DE – Pyras / Pyras Open Air 21.07.24 GR – Athens / Release Athens 31.07.-03.08.24 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air 01.-03.08.24 SE – Rejmyre / Skogsröjet 20.10.24 ES – Mallorca / Full Metal Holidays
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 ) 