Swedish metalcore act Awake The Dreamer have released a video for their new single ‘Violence’, out now via Arising Empire. This powerful anthem is a must-listen, solidifying Awake the Dreamer‘s place within the scene.
‘Violence’ delves into themes of internal struggle and emotional turmoil, portraying a narrative of being ensnared by another’s anger and the silent battles that follow. Musically, ‘Violence’ blends haunting melodies with powerful riffs and dynamic vocals, reflecting the intensity of the emotions described. The track underscores the impact of unspoken anger and the relentless pressure it creates, showcasing the band’s ability to merge melodic elements with raw post-hardcore energy.
Formed through childhood and high school friendships in 2015, Stockholm-based quartet Awake The Dreamer released their Grow EP the following year, leading to tours in Europe and Asia alongside bands including Ice Nine Kills, Northlane, Adept and Crystal Lake.
In 2019, Awake The Dreamer released their debut album Damaged Souls via Arising Empire. The 10-track release featured guest appearances from Adept‘s Robert Ljung (‘Vigilant’) and Crystal Lake’sRyo Kinoshita in (‘Atmosphere’).
Bassist/vocalist Benjamin Turesson adds:
“Being a small band that didn’t even have an album out by the time we had toured Europe and Asia finally caught up to us, then the pandemic hit. Like that wasn’t enough, unfortunately we had former members leave the band, so it became natural for us to just start from scratch in order to redevelop a new sound. A sound which we are really happy and proud of. It feels great to start releasing music again and we are really excited to be back.”
Awake The Dreamer live: 12.10.24 AT Vorchdorf @ Metalnight Outbreak Festival 13.10.24 AU Wien @ Flex
Awake The Dreamer are: Max Andrén | Vocals Victor Sandberg | Guitar Johan Norsander | Guitar
HOT SUNDAY BLOOD have released their new single ‘Es Un Lugar Alegre’, stream it below.
Hot Sunday Blood is an Italian band, formed in Turin in 2013. The sound is inspired by alternative rock music, with heavy rock influences. Each band member affects the sound in an unique way, coming from different backgrounds such as metal, stoner, grunge, black metal, prog and new wave. The band loves to define itself as “plug and play”. Lyrics are all in English, solid guitar riffs and open melodies are recurring elements typical of their songs which gains depth through Andrea Amerini’s voice.
For fans of Mastodon, Queens Of the Stone Age, Alice in Chains and Smashing Pumpkins.
Three full lengths and more than one hundred lives behind them, in July 2018 they are called to open Doyle for the Turin date of his European tour. In May 2019 they organised a mini promotional tour in Romania, Croatia and Slovenia. Over the course of the years the sound shifted to a more distinctive imprint and the introduction of slight electronics support. The band performed in Ostrava V Plamenech Festival in year 2023.
Soulbound present “Forever In The Dark”, the next single taken from the forthcoming studio album “obsYdian” (Metalville Records – street date July 26th).
For lovers of dark soundscapes Soulbound presents a goth rock masterpiece with “Forever in the Dark” from “obsYdian”. This track, produced by Chris Harms of Lord of The Lost, explores universal feelings of loss, pain, and despair with a compelling melody, culminating in a heavy acceptance of hopelessness. Soulbound once again demonstrates their ability to create emotional landscapes that transcend music.
Welcome to “obsYdian”!
With dark elegance, full of reflection and with a certain harshness, this new album represents musically content and symbolically represents Soulbound’s journey through the last years – a journey through a spectrum of intense themes. These range from the intense confrontation with the musicians own inner demons demons to socially critical observations that continue to confront them with clear clarity about the serious consequences associated with this consequences, through to deep, introspective reflections on various personal personal themes, such as the subject of parting.
‘obsYdian’ for Soulbound stands for the cathartic experiences they have had as a band, but also individually. Come along and accompany them on their musical journey. The musicians have realized that in the that confronting their own inner conflicts not only provides challenges, but can be found, but also comfort and understanding. The songs on “obsYdian” serve Soulbound like a multifaceted mirror, which, in the process of confrontation, shows us both the band’s dark sides as well as the possibilities for healing and protection – in the spirit of the protective properties that are attributed to the dark properties that the dark stone obsidian is said to have.
Soulbound see in the symbolism obsidian a perfect metaphor for their work as musicians: Dark, mysterious, reflective, protective, transformative, clear and honest, deep and strong. “obsYdian” is not just an album for them; it is an expression of their development, their way of seeing.
TRACK LISTING
1. obsYdian 2. Burn 3. Insane 4. Forever in the dark 5. Saint Sinner 6. Lioness 7. Isolate 8. Heartless 9. Paralyzed 10. Remain [part 1] 11. Remain [part 2]
LINE UP
Johnny Stecker – Vocals Felix Klemisch – Guitar Patrick Winzler- Synthies Jonas Langer – Bass Mario Krause – Drums
“Dracul Drakorgoth” is the title track of the new BLUTGOTT 3CD album (Massacre Records / release September 20th).
Each song comes in three versions: the “Blood God” Heavy Metal version, the “Balgeroth” version with German lyrics and the “Debauchery” version with the monster voice.
The new video captures the power of the BLUTGOTT live band, shows the song in the “Debauchery” version.
The lyrics are about Dracul Drakorgoth, the Debauchery Blood God, and his role in the War of Balgeroth. While a brutal war is raging on Earth and many other planets of the Balgeroth Blood Gods against mankind, Dracul Drakorgoth and his Debauchery Legion fight their way from the front line in eastern Europe, across Hellgates to the outermost siege ring around Knochenheim. His legion consists of Blood Gods, Vampires and Blood Babes.
You can find out more about the BLUTGOTT universe at www.blutgott.com
The new album, T-shirts, miniatures and the tabletop game are available from the band’s own www.bloodstore.de
In 20 years, singer and guitarist Thomas Gurrath has created an entire band universe with over 30 CDs spread across more than 17 albums from Debauchery, Blood God and Balgeroth. He has united this Trinity of Blood Gods under the name BLUTGOTT.
Musically, the band moves across genres somewhere between Judas Priest, Slayer, AC/DC, Rammstein and Bolt Thrower. There is pounding death metal, classic heavy metal and groovy hardrock, sometimes with screeching vocals, sometimes with the distinctive monster voice, sometimes clean, and everything in between.
The lyrics – in German and English – deal with the band’s own dark fantasy universe: the World of Blood Gods. Named after the Blood Gods – biomechanical vampire dragons with demonic abilities.
The three most infamous are Bal-Geroth, the Bloodking of Knochenheim, Dracul Drakorgoth, the Debauchery Blood God and Setekh Drakorgaur, the Red Dragon. Together they form the Trinity of Blood Gods.
In the war zones of the past and future, on Earth, Eden, other planets and Hell, they fight brutal battles against elves, humans and dwarves, as well as other demons.The World of Blood Gods has its own miniatures and its own tabletop game, called Kings of Carnage.
Concerts of the various incarnations of the BLUTGOTT Metal Universe have been held throughout Europe, Russia and Asia. They have performed with Doro, Saxon, Dismember, Napalm Death, Destruction and many other well-known bands from the metal scene and played at major festivals such as Wacken, Summer Breeze and Bang Your Head. The albums are regularly in the top50 of the official German album charts.
The new album “Dracul Drakorgoth” will be released on September 20th and contains ten completely new songs each with the Debauchery Monster Voice, once with the German Balgeroth lyrics and also with the Blood God Heavy Metal voice. Available as 3CD Digi Pack, as limited edition box and the Debauchery and Balgeroth versions each as limited edition LP. Recorded by Dennis Ward (Unisonic, Krokus, Helloween).
BLUTGOTT Dracul Drakorgoth Tracklist
CD1 Debauchery Version
We create Metal
Dracul Drakorgoth
Fire and Steel
Crusade against Humanity
Overdrive of Brutality
Dragonsteel
Blood for Balgeroth
Setekh Drakorgaur
Blood demands Blood
Drakespawn
CD 2 Balgeroth Version
Drachenlegion
Dracul Drakorgoth
Feuer und Stahl
Drachendivision
Blutgott Monsterhorde
Drachenstahl
Blut für Balgeroth
Setekh Drakorgaur
Blut verlangt Blut
Drachenbrut
CD3 Blood God Version
We create Metal
Dracul Drakorgoth
Fire and Steel
Crusade against Humanity
Overdrive of Brutality
Dragonsteel
Blood for Balgeroth
Setekh Drakorgaur
Blood demands Blood
Drakespawn
BLUTGOTT LIVE
21.06.2024 Aaargh Festival 28.06.2024 Ferryman Festival 29.06.2024 Heavy Michel Days 03.08.2024 München – Backstage 05.09.2024 Nürnberg – Hirsch 20.09.2024 Passau – Zauberberg 21.09.2024 Aalen – Rock It 04.10.2024 Oberhausen – Helvete 05.10.2024 Rostock – Zuckerfabrik 01.11.2024 Weinheim – Cafe Central 02.11.2024 Kirchheim (Teck) – Linde – Heimspiel 06.12.2024 Lenzburg – Met-Bar (CH) 07.12.2024 Lindau – Club Vaudeville 12.12.2024 Wien – Viper Room (AT) 13.12.2024 Graz – Explosiv (AT) 31.01.2025 Hannover – Cafe Glocksee 01.02.2025 Hamburg – Logo 15.02.2025 Berlin – Slaughterhouse 08.03.2025 Selb – Rockclub Nordbayern 28.03.2025 Cham – LA
ARCHAIC have released the official live video of four songs from their neck-breaking set at Dürer Kert Budapest on 27th of January 2024.
Archaic had this to say about their Live Video release: “This video with the four songs encapsulates all the essence, rawness and energy that you can expect from the relentless thrashers of Archaic on stage. Straightforward, harsh and catchy thrash tunes and tempos played live, straight out from the depths of the rising Hungarian underground metal scene.”
Archaic are a thrash metal band from Hungary, influenced by bands such as Testament, Slayer, Kreator and The Haunted. The band has a clear aim to carry on the flag of the classic thrash genre with a modern 21st century sound, diverse tempos, catchy melodies impregnated with a relentless energy on stage in order to give the best live experience for any metal fan attending our gigs.
Archaic have three full-length studio albums and hundreds of gigs in their long history. After the release of their first album ’Time Has Come to Envy the Dead (2005 Vic Records) and an intensive 5-year period of gigs and tours, including a support tour with Testament, the band was forced to stop for many years because of various personal reasons and line-up changes, until they reunited again with a new line-up and came back with a brand new release called ’How much blood would you shed to stay alive?’ in December 2017.
With help of the label Nail Records, the album was an attachment of the Hungarian Hammerworld magazine thus reaching a wide audience in the country and became immediately popular and received positive reviews and feedback in all the major metal magazines.
The album cover made by artist Peter Sallai (Annihilator, Sabaton, Hammerfall) and studio production done by Attila Vörös (ex- Nevermore, Satyricon) were voted Hungary’s best in 2017 by the Hungarian metal press.
The band went on to release new videos, playing as many gigs as possible, both in Hungary and in Europe. One of the most important stage in their life took place in 2019 when they managed to play in Wacken as part of the international Wacken Metal Battle competition representing Hungary and they made it to the 2nd place in the finals, making them the first band from their country reaching such a prominent position.
Later on in 2020 they continued the recordings of their upcoming album but unfortunate line-up changes, the covid pandemic and other factors set new obstacles in the way. The most significant change happened at the position of the lead vocalist, as after Tamás left the band, the guitarist, Peter stepped into his place, and it took a while to rearrange and re-record the vocal tracks for the new songs.
The new album named “The Endgame Protocol” was finally finished by the end of 2021. The album was released on 4 March 2022.The album received excellent international reviews, resulting in a growing interest in the band.
In Hungary, ‘The Endgame Protocol’ was the album of the month in HammerWorld magazine and also opened at no. 2 in the domestic sales charts. Along with the outstanding reception of the album, the band has also received international acclaim.
ARCHAIC is: Péter Erdélyi – vocal, guitar Lászlo Püski – guitar Csaba Zoltán Szabó – drums Gábor Illés – bass
Celebrated blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor announces the release of her new studio album, Heavy Soul, available NOWthrough Journeyman Records. Recorded at the historic RCA Studios just before its closure, Taylor shares, “I love the history – it seemed like the natural place to come back to. It’s been a wonderful album to make.”
The album’s latest single, “Drowning In A Sea Of Love,” is a soulful rendition inspired by Eva Cassidy’s version of soul icon Joe Simon’s 1971 R&B hit. Introduced to Taylor by producer Kevin Shirley, it perfectly captures the album’s theme of exploring emotional depths through a blend of blues and soul music. Watch the official music video HERE.
Heavy Soul is a landmark in Taylor’s career, that showcases her evolution from blues roots to incorporating soulful pop music nuances. Following the heartfelt single “Change of Heart,” the album continues to showcase Taylor’s expressive vocals and guitar prowess with tracks like “Devil In Me” and “A Good Goodbye,” the title track “Heavy Soul,” and includes a soul-stirring version of Joan Armatrading’s “All The Way From America.”
Critics have lauded Taylor for her raw talent and authenticity, with Classic Rock Magazine highlighting her “rich honeyed marriage of blues-rock guitar and soulful pop sensibilities” and Blues Matters recognizing her as “a beacon of authenticity and talent.” With a career enriched by acclaim from legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, Taylor’s Heavy Soul promises a fusion of contemporary soul-pop and traditional blues.
“Heavy Soul is a rich, honeyed marriage of blues-rock guitar and soulful pop sensibilities.” – Classic Rock Magazine
” With the exciting Heavy Soul, Joanne Shaw Taylor returns to the passionate sound that brought her fame. It’s great to have her back.” – Rock and Blues Muse
“This is the most complete ‘triple threat’ effort yet from Joanne Shaw Taylor. It elevates her status from terrific guitar slinger to singer-songwriter in one fell swoop.” – Glide Magazine
“Heavy Soul is an unforgettable sonic experience, solidifying Joanne’s place as a dynamic force in the music world.” – Blues Matters
“Joanne Shaw Taylor’s guitar playing is impeccable.” – Velvet Thunder
Photo by Adam Kennedy
After a successful U.S. Spring Tour, Joanne Shaw Taylor is set to embark on The “Heavy Soul” U.S. Tour this fall, promising an electrifying experience with songs from Heavy Soul and fan favourites. For tickets, visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour/.
CD Track Listing 1. Sweet ‘Lil Lies 2. All The Way From America 3. Black Magic 4. Drowning In A Sea Of Love 5. A Good Goodbye 6. Heavy Soul 7. Wild Love 8. Someone Like You 9. Devil In Me 10. Change Of Heart
Summer 2024 Tour Dates Saturday, June 15 – Aurora, IL – RiverEdge Park Saturday, June 29 – Poortugaal, NL – Muziek of Rhoon Festival Saturday, July 6 – Jarvenpaa, FI – Puistoblues Festival Friday, July 12 – Briggsville, PA – Briggs Farm Blues Festival Thursday, July 18 – Salisbury, MA – Blue Ocean Music Hall Friday, July 19 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater* Tuesday, July 23- Lake Placid, NY – Songs at Mirror Lake Friday, August 2 – Mammoth Lakes, CA – Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Saturday, August 10 – Duluth, MN – Bayfront Blues Festival Friday, August 16 – Northampton, MA – The Iron Horse Saturday, August 17 – Thornton, NH – White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Festival Saturday, September 14 – Morristown, NJ – Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
*Opening for Joe Bonamassa
“The Heavy Soul” U.S. Tour Wednesday, October 23 – Carmel, IN – The Palladium Thursday, October 24 – Springfield, MO – Gillioz Theatre Friday, October 25 – Kansas City, MO – Folly Theater Monday, October 28 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater Tuesday, October 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center Thursday, October 31 – Boise, ID – The Egyptian Theatre Friday, November 1 – Spokane, WA – The Bing Saturday, November 2 – Beaverton, OR – Patricia Reser Center For The Arts Monday, November 4 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune Theatre Wednesday, November 6 – Menlo Park, CA – The Guild Theatre Thursday, November 7 – Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre Friday, November 8 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa Wednesday, November 13 – Cerritos, CA – Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts Thursday, November 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre Sunday, November 17 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre OKC Tuesday, November 19 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater Wednesday, November 20 – San Antonio, TX – Charline McCombs Empire Theatre Friday, November 22 – Arlington, TX – Arlington Music Hall Saturday, November 23 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater Sunday, November 24 – Baton Rouge, LA – Manship Theatre
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
