Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

NEONFLY to Tour Finland with CYHRA This February

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2024

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CYHRA, NEONFLY. Leave a comment

British alternative metallers NEONFLY are thrilled to announce their upcoming tour in Finland alongside Swedish metal supergroup CYHRA. After a successful and eventful 2023, which included supporting Escape The Fate on their German tour, performing at various festivals in the UK, and embarking on a headline tour in Mexico, NEONFLY is wasting no time in hitting the road again.

With a strong determination to conquer new territories, the band is excited to bring their electrifying live performances to the Finnish audience. Together with Cyhra, a metal supergroup featuring the well-known musicians Jake E (ex-Amaranthe), Jesper Strömblad (ex-In Flames), Alex Landenburg (Kamelot), Euge Valovirta (ex-Shining) and Marcus Sunesson (Engel), this tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for metal fans that should not be missed.

Tickets are on sale now and the dates are as follows:
Feb 15th – Tampere, Yo-Talo [Tickets]
Feb 16th – Helsinki, On the Rocks [Tickets]
Feb 17th – Oulu, Kantakrouvi [Tickets]

Guitarist & composer Frederick Thunder comments: “We’re really excited to be hitting the road once again this February while the band is still hot and ready to go from all the touring we did last year. The group has a lot of chemistry on stage, we’re having a great time up there, and I really believe that we’re at the peak of our performance. And we’re certainly not ready to stop! Our latest album ‘The Future, Tonight’ is still being very well received by audiences everywhere we go, and we love performing those songs live, so we’re very excited to be able to give Finnish audiences a taste of what we do live.

We’re really grateful to Cyhra for the opportunity as well! Jake has been a good friend for a long time, and has often shared his touring and music business wisdom with me over the years, which I’ve always been extremely thankful for. The other guys in the band are all great people and fantastic musicians as well, and I have no doubt that this tour is going to be a blast, both on and off-stage! They’ve just released a killer album as well, which is a great blend of the rich musical history of each of the band members. Catchy, modern, and powerful. I think we’re a great match musically, and the only thing I regret about this tour is that there aren’t more dates on it!“

Get/stream the band’s latest album “The Future, Tonight” (Noble Demon) HERE

NEONFLY live:
Feb 15th – Tampere, Yo-Talo w/ CYHRA
Feb 16th – Helsinki, On the Rocks w/ CYHRA
Feb 17th – Oulu, Kantakrouvi w/ CYHRA
May 04th – Karmøygeddon Festival (Norway)
Aug 17th – Weyfest (UK)

NEONFLY are:
Willy Norton – Vocals
Frederick Thunder – Guitars
Paul Miller – Bass
Declan Brown – Drums

For more info visit:
https://www.facebook.com/NeonflyUK/
https://www.instagram.com/neonflyuk/
https://www.youtube.com/user/NeonflyUK
http://nobledemon.com
http://shop.nobledemon.com

Japanese SABLE HILLS Release New Single + Video ‘Odyssey’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2024

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SABLE HILLS. Leave a comment

Tokyo riff lords Sable Hills have shared their electrifying new single ‘Odyssey’ just a few days after announcing their signing to Arising Empire. It is the title track of the band’s highly anticipated third album, due for release this April.

Stream ‘Odyssey’ here: https://arisingempire.com/odyssey

Known for their dynamic blend of intense riffs and melodic harmonies, Sable Hills continue to redefine the boundaries of metalcore, captivating fans across the globe. Odyssey promises to be a groundbreaking addition to their discography, showcasing their unique style and musical prowess. Fans are eagerly counting down the days to the full album release, anticipating a collection of tracks that will further cement Sable Hills‘ status as titans of their genre.

Guitarist Rict comments: “The new song ‘Odyssey’ is the beginning of our long journey. We have a new member and a new label. Finally we’re ready to go. The song is very melodic, and also heavy. Very metal, and also hardcore. We’ll release this song with 100% confidence. So excited to show our new sound to you.”

Sable Hills have captivated audiences with their electrifying headline tours, notably Chaos J.P. 2023, which featured the likes of Like Moths To Flames and Knosis, led by Ryo Kinoshita, former vocalist of Crystal Lake. This tour marked an important return to Japan for these acts after a long hiatus.

The band’s ascent to prominence was ignited by their debut album EMBERS (2019), which received widespread acclaim and positioned them at the pinnacle of Japan’s metal scene, allowing them to share the stage with renowned Japanese bands such as coldrain, Crystal Lake, and international heavyweights Fit For A King and After The Burial. Appearing at major festivals Bloodaxe Festival at Club Citta Kawasaki and True North Festival at Shin-Kiba Studio Coast further enhanced their reputation.

The release of their second album DUALITY marked another high point in their career. The album’s release tour, extending from Japan to Europe, included performances at Wacken Open Air in Germany and Brutal Assault in the Czech Republic. At Wacken2022, Sable Hills achieved an historic victory, winning the METAL BATTLE 2022, a first for a Japanese band.

In 2023, the band kept on striving forward, selling out their show at Spotify O-WEST and performing at major festivals including coldrain‘s BLARE FEST, KNOTFEST and at Wacken Open Air for the second consecutive year. Their very own FRONTLINE FESTIVAL at Kawasaki Club Citta was a resounding success, attracting close to 1000 attendees.

Sable Hills are:
Takuya Mishima – Vocals
Wataru Yuasa – Guitar & Vocals
Rict Mishima – Guitar
Takuya Ueda – Bass
Keita Kondo – Drums

Sable Hills online:
www.instagram.com/sablehillsjp
www.tiktok.com/@sablehillsjp
www.facebook.com/sablehillsjp
twitter.com/sablehillsjp
www.sablehills.jp

ANCIIENTS Re-Record Old Favorite ‘Raise the Sun’ with New Lineup

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2024

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Anciients. Leave a comment

Since winning a coveted JUNO for their last album in 2018, Anciients have been whittling away at their follow-up. That album is done now and will be released later this year. But before the hard-rocking Canucks come down from the mountain with a new set of genre-breaking commandments for the psychedelic masses, they’re flexing their new lineup with a re-recorded version of a proven fan favorite.

Watch the visualizer for “Raise the Sun (Re-recording)” (Created by Scott Rudd Film):

Anciients first came into existence back in 2011, though Kenny Cook (vocals, guitar), Chris Dyck (guitar) and Aaron “Boon” Gustafson (bass) had already played in a band together. Their potent chemistry, joined with drummer Mike Hannay, spilled over into Heart of Oak, which landed the band an opening slot on tour with Lamb of God, as well as on the long list for a JUNO and the 2013 Polaris Music Prize.

After their second album, Voice of the Void, won a JUNO in 2018 for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year, Anciients underwent several line-up changes. They’re now joined by bassist Rory O’Brien and Brock MacInnes on rhythm guitar. You can hear the full brunt of their twin force on this re-recorded version of “Raise the Sun”. The riffs sizzle with more than enough righteous fury to burn rubber, while the low end casts a thunderous shadow.

“With the 10th anniversary of ‘Heart of Oak’ happening while we were recording our new record, we decided to re-record a couple songs with our current lineup“, says Cook. “It was a trip down memory lane working on this song, a decade later, with producer Jesse Gander at the helm again. We hope you enjoy the sound of this new version of ‘Raise the Sun’.”

Anciients’ new album will come out later this year.

Lineup
Kenny Cook (vocals, guitar)
Mike Hannay (drums)
Brock MacInnes (rhythm guitar)
Rory O’Brien (bass)

Production
Produced and mixed by Jesse Gander at RainCity Recorders in Vancouver, BC.
Mastered by Stu Mckillop at RainCity Mastering in Vancouver, BC.

Stream: https://linktr.ee/anciients
Order merch: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/band/anciients

https://www.facebook.com/ANCIIENTSRIFFS
https://www.instagram.com/anciients/
https://twitter.com/ANCIIENTS
https://www.youtube.com/user/ANCIIENTS
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anciients/603538280
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YQOcYukzO6U1MjFcavDUE

FIXATION Make History as First Metal Band Ever to Be Nominated to Prestigious Norwegian Awards

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2024

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: FIXATION. Leave a comment

Norwegian metalcore sensation FIXATION is honored to announce their double nomination at this year’s Norwegian Publishing Awards (Musikkforleggerprisen), which takes place in Oslo February 28^th. The band has been recognized in the categories of “Breakthrough of the Year” and “Song of the Year – popular music” for their captivating track “Ignore the Disarray”. No metal band has ever been nominated in either of the categories before.

The band’s achievements in 2023 include extensive touring with well-established acts such as Devin Townsend and Annisokay and performances at prestigious festivals like Eurosonic, Rock Imperium, Q-Stock and Download festival. On top of an immensely successful live-year the band also released their highly anticipated debut album, “More Subtle Than Death”.

The ” Breakthrough of the Year” award acknowledges individuals or groups who have experienced a breakthrough in their careers during the previous year. The award considers overall achievements and increased attention, demand, and significant growth in the artist’s career throughout 2023.

In the category of “Song of the Year – Popular Music” Fixation’s “Ignore the Disarray” competes as a standout original work that exemplifies quality within the field of popular music. The track showcases Fixation’s mastery in combining various musical elements to create a unique and emotionally charged sound.

Fixation’s ability to seamlessly blend heavy guitar riffs, electronic elements, and infectious choruses has created a sound that transcends genres, resonating with a whole generation rather than fans of a specific genre. With over 60 European live dates, a debut album and two nominations to the Norwegian publishing awards Fixation is poised to make a resounding impact on the global music scene.

BLAZE BAYLEY Releases First Video + Single ‘Circle of Stone’ from Forthcoming Studio Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2024

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Metal Hall of Fame inductee Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden singer 1994-1999) releases the first single & video ‘Circle of Stone’, confirming his forthcoming new album of the same name, whilst also revealing Niklas Stalvind of Swedish metallers Wolf, as guest vocalist.

The single is available now for pre-save & streaming on digital platforms, whilst options for Vinyl LP & CD (including a special Limited Edition bundle) are live now at http://www.blazebayleyshop.com . Official album release date is 23rd February 2024.

Fans will discover that the new album features some of Blaze’s best ever vocal performances, & the combination of vocals with Niklas Stalvind is nothing short of a revelation. The video, produced by Lion Island Media (Chelmsford, UK), is also superbly executed.

Recent times have been a roller-coaster ride for Blaze. Following on from the successful ‘Infinite Entanglement’ trilogy (2016-2018), around which interest in his career was clearly elevated, he then moved further forward with the critically-acclaimed ‘War Within Me’ album (2021), whilst touring worldwide. However, he then suffered a severe heart attack early in 2023, requiring life-saving quadruple bypass surgery. Recovery was slow but 6 UK shows towards the end of 2023 felt like a real triumph, quickly followed by a tour with his original (pre-Iron Maiden) band Wolfsbane.

Thankfully, the recording of the new album had been completed just 2 days before the heart attack & the record was put on the ‘backburner’ whilst health matters & recovery progressed. Blaze’s regular team recorded the album with Christopher Appleton (of UK band Absolva) engineering, mixing & co-producing with Blaze (split between their home studios in Manchester & Birmingham respectively), & Ade Emsley mastering. Christopher Appleton also played lead guitar alongside his brother Luke Appleton on power guitar, Martin Mcnee on drums & Karl Schramm on bass.

The artistic talent of Akirant Illustration has again been justifiably trusted for the excellent coverart & layouts.

Meantime fans should expect a second single, video & a little more information soon.

Also in 2024, Blaze proudly celebrates the 30th anniversary of when he first joined Iron Maiden and so, touring this year will weave between the Circle of Stone album tour & 30th Anniversary shows with a Maiden-heavy setlist…

JANUARY
24 ES Barcelona, Club Wolf *
25 ES Pamplona, Club Totem *
26 ES Gijon, Club Acapulco *
27 ES Vigo, Club Rouge *
28 ES Madrid, Club Moby Dick *

FEBRUARY
3 NI Warrenpoint, Skylite Room *
4 NI Omagh, Bogan’s *
7 NI Belfast, Voodoo *
8 IE Dublin, Whelan’s *
9 IE Limerick, Dolan’s *
10 IE Cork, Fred Zeppelins *
11 IE Cork, Fred Zeppelins *
29 FR Lille, Black Lab **

MARCH
1 BE Verviers, Spirit of 66 **
3 FR Lyon, Rock n Eat **
6 FR La Rochelle, Crossroad **
8 FR Aubiere, Chorus **
9 FR Marseille, Jas Rod **
10 IT Genova, Crazy Bull **
12 AT Kufstein, Kultur Quartier ** (opening for U.D.O.)
13 DE Cham, LA **
14 AT Vienna, Viper Room **
15 CZ Brno, Nova Melodka **
16 CZ Pilsen, Serikovka **
17 DE Erfurt, From Hell **

APRIL
6 FR Mametz, Mametz Festival *
7 BE Diest, Hell *
10 SE Malmo, Plan B *
11 SE Motala, Bomber Bar *
12 SE Sala, Rockland *
13 SE Huskvarna, Metal Fest *
14 SE Gothenburg, The Abyss *
17 DE Hamburg, Bambi Galore *
18 DE Siegen, Vortex *
20 FR Chatel-Guyon, Vulcan Hot Road Festival *

MAY
9 BE Bilzen, South of Heaven **
10 DE Kassel, Goldgrube **
11 DE Mannheim, 7er Club **
12 DE Munich, Backstage **

JUNE
29 SE Kiruna, Kiruna Festival *

JULY
19 UK Maidstone, Made of Stone Festival *
27 NO Harstad, Rockholm Festival *

AUGUST
10 CH Manried, Mannried Open Air *
31 CZ Prostejov, Rock for Your Shock Fest *

SEPTEMBER
6 DE Bochum, Rockpalast *
7 DE Willanzheim, Maiden Mania Festival *
8 DE Osnabruck, BC *
18 UK Glasgow, Ivory Blacks **
19 UK Newcastle, Trillians **
20 UK Manchester, Club Academy **
21 UK London, Underworld **
22 UK Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill **

OCTOBER
5 FR Fismes, British Steel Festival *

*30th Anniversary shows
**Circle Of Stone Tour

For further information visit the artist’s official website http://www.blazebayley.net

NIDARE Unleash New Live Session Video for ‘Aderlass’; Release Vinyl Version of Latest EP “Naehe und Flackern”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2024

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: NIDARE. Leave a comment

Berlin based post black metal act NIDARE has unleashed a brand new video for “Aderlass”. The clip is a part of the “Sunsetter Recording Studio Live Sessions” and the track is taken from the band’s latest EP “Naehe und Flackern”, which was released in July 2023 through Through Love Records.

Watch the video here:

Furthermore, the band is proud to announce that a strictly limited vinyl version of “Naehe und Flackern” is finally available. Transparent one-sided vinyl, coming along with a screen print on the B-side, strictly limited to 150 copies. NIDARE‘s latest release is a collection of three powerful songs that thematically deal with the feeling of hate. The singer’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of hate in different facets: the hate towards society, the hate the singer faces in his life and the hate the singer himself carries outward. “Naehe und Flackern” is an EP that takes listeners on an emotional journey while also being a profound emotional exploration. NIDARE manages to channel the darkness in her lyrics and music. The EP is an expression of pain, anger and despair, but also a call for self-reflection and understanding of the complex nature of human emotions.

NIDARE comments: “Our EP ‘Naehe and Flackern’ has live been recorded exactly one year ago alongside this live session at Sunsetter Studios/ Fabian Schulz Audio. The last output of this cozy winter session is ‘Aderlass’ which will also constitutes the last release with our old line up. Thank you Nico and Alex for the great years and all the best for your future. There will be more news on the new line up as well as more releases soon.”