Platinum-selling rock juggernaut P.O.D. — Sonny Sandoval [vocals], Marcos Curiel [guitar], and Traa Daniels [bass] — have shared the video for their new single “DROP” via Mascot Records. The track features a vicious vocal cameo from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. “‘DROP’ is another one of a kind, unparalleled banger that sets this band apart from everyone else,” says Sandoval. “When you hear it, you know it’s P.O.D.!”
They’ve been a band — and a vital one at that — for more than 30 years. But ask rock icons P.O.D. what still inspires them after all this time, and they’ll tell you they still operate as if they’re perpetual underdogs. Yes, with every new album they release, with every show they play, these musical lifers still feel they have something to prove. “We’re still here and we’re still creating some of the best music we’ve ever made,” says guitarist Marcos Curiel. “When it comes to heart, grit and soul, P.O.D. is your band.” Adds vocalist Sonny Sandoval: “We’re always still proving who we are — always having that punk-rock mentality.”
It’s this mindset, this unrelenting grit that has long defined the platinum-selling P.O.D. and continues to do so as they march proudly into the next era of their long-winding journey of a career. Now, they are nearly five years removed from their previous studio album, Circles, which to date has been streamed more than 50 million times and spawned the hit “Listening to Silence.” Now, the band returns in with new single “Drop.”
The track is a sonic boom of a cut, and features a thrilling vocal turn from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. “Dude, it’s the sickest thing ever,” Curiel says of “Drop,” which was inspired by the guitarist’s longtime love of electronic music. “When that drop hits, everyone knows it,” he adds. “We needed to create a song in that way…P.O.D. style.”
P.O.D.’s audience has always been at the core of everything the band does, and to that end, their live shows remain essential to who they are. They’ve played major festivals including the Sick New World, INKcarceration and Hell and Heaven Fest, and have shared stages with the likes of KORN, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Evanescence and Seether.
Arizona death-crusters GO AHEAD AND DIE will deliver their caustic sophomore album Unhealthy Mechanisms on October 20th via Nuclear Blast Records. A torrential whirlwind born from the livid minds of Igor Amadeus Cavalera (HEALING MAGIC) and Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY). This new installment to the band’s dystopian catalog is a fresh dive into the madness of society and the pollution that ravages our minds.
‘Desert Carnage‘ is the pummeling opener to Unhealthy Mechanisms. Brainchild of Igor Amadeus Cavalera, this track takes listeners on a fiery journey through an apocalyptic desert inspired by their home state of Arizona. Check out the frantic single that encompasses some of Igor’s best riffs on the album.
Igor Amadeus Cavalera comments: “‘Desert Carnage‘ is a blistering fast song that is as scorching hot as the Sonoran desert itself. The barbaric theme of the song stems from the cruelness and inhospitable terrain of the desert, as desolate and unkind as a place can be.”
Unhealthy Mechanismswas produced by Igor Amadeus Cavalera while John Aquilino handled the recording in his Platinum Underground Studio steeped in the mystic ambiance of the Superstition Mountains’ foothills. The mixing and mastering were once again handled by Arthur Rizk (CAVALERA, SOULFLY, TURNSTILE). For the artwork, the band enlisted Santiago Jaramillo of Triple Seis Design to create the unnerving design that fits with the album title. GO AHEAD AND DIE‘s newest record is a testament to declining mental health around the world, and a reminder that we are not alone in our pain. The mind is lost. The fuse is lit. Time to set everything ablaze.
Below is the Unhealthy Mechanisms track listing: 1. Desert Carnage 2. Split Scalp 3. Tumors 4. Drug-O-Cop 5. No Easy Way Out 6. M.D.A. (Most Dangerous Animal) 7. Chasm 8. Cyber Slavery 9. Blast Zone 10. Unhealthy Mechanisms
GO AHEAD AND DIE is: Max Cavalera | Vocals, Guitar Igor Amadeus Cavalera | Vocals, Guitar, Bass Johnny Valles | Drums
American progressive metal super-project of PYRAMID are back with a new lyric video!
After the release of the 5th album “Rage” Revisited and some videos from this album like “Dungeons And Dragons“, “Magic” “Control“, “Tyranny“, “Rage“, “Beast“, “Empty Roads” and “Greed“, Lance Sawyer and his friends make a trip to the past with the second lyric video from their album “Amnesty” (2020).
A few weeks ago, they released the lyric video “Of All Time” and now they share with their fans the lyric video for the song “Instill”!
The new video “Instill” is a really powerful and inspirational video that motivates you to be the best version of you!
Renzo Favaro from Fughu is here once again to create extraordinary music moments with his voice!
The latest Album “Rage” is out on all platforms and you can find it worldwide via Sleaszy Rider on physical (2-cd) and digital edition! Release Date: 4th November 2022
All the anger and the sense of oppression of the contemporary world that stifles individuality, in the delirium of capitalism where humanity and relationships become commodities. This is the scenario painted by MANILA HEMP in ‘Way Out,’ their new single, available today via Volcano Records & Promotion on all online platforms and YouTube. It comes with a video that captures all the sensations of a sharp and powerful song. Manila Hemp is an experienced and seasoned rock band.
With an impressive track record that has led them over the years to collaborate with the legendary American producer Steve Albini (Nirvana, The Pixies) and to complete an album at the iconic Abbey Road Studios in London, Manila Hemp has recently joined the Volcano Records roster, announcing a series of singles and upcoming surprises in the coming months.
Listen to ‘Way Out,’ the new single by Manila Hemp, on Spotify, and watch the video below.
Visionary filmmaker, guitarist, and composer Kimmo Kuusniemi unveils a haunting reflection of our times with his latest endeavour, the ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA). This formidable cross-arts project, conceptualised by Kuusniemi and enhanced by the musical prowess of his sole permanent collaborator, internationally acclaimed violinist and ethnomusicologist Tuomas Rounakari, paints a somber picture of our world teetering on the edge of environmental collapse.
Kuusniemi’s past environmental pursuits since the 80s, from impactful documentaries to the globally resonant ‘Dream On’ project for World Wide Fund for Nature, converge in ASA with a sharper edge. Together with Rounakari’s immersion in ancient traditions, they craft a chilling reminder of our environment’s fragile state, urging society to tap into ancestral wisdom as a lifeline.
The initial offering from ASA is the eerily captivating song “Perpetuae Memoriae”, set against a dystopian backdrop. This composition not only demonstrates the collective brilliance of Kuusniemi and Rounakari’s combined talents but also shines a spotlight on Steve Di Giorgio, the iconic fretless bassist from the revered metal juggernaut, Testament.
“This video encapsulates the bleak landscape we’re navigating. ASA is an urgent wake-up call, a clarion cry, urging humanity to resonate with the harmonies of ancestral wisdom before we drift past the point of no return,” shares Kuusniemi.
The “Perpetuae Memoriae” serves as a precursor to ASA’s forthcoming environmental music documentary, hinting at the depth and passion that the team is channeling into their larger project.
However, ASA’s commitment extends beyond mere awareness. To bridge the gap between realisation and action, ASA highlights emblems of notable environmental charities at the end of their video. This gesture is designed to steer viewers towards meaningful channels of change, transforming awareness into tangible action.
Ancient Streaming Assembly beckons artists, environmentalists, and the global audience to confront this stark reality, seeking solace and guidance in the echoes of our ancient predecessors.
Witness the unsettling narrative of “Perpetuae Memoriae” and delve deeper into ASA’s grim vision by visiting:
For collaborations, inquiries, and more, please contact: Tarja Virmakari Press Media Officer ASA Team tarja@ancientstreaming.com
About Kimmo Kuusniemi
Finnish-born visionary, Kimmo Kuusniemi stands at the intersection of art, music, film, and environmental advocacy. In the late 1970s, Kuusniemi established the legendary band Sarcofagus. Blending progressive and experimental elements with heavy rock, Sarcofagus crafted a version of heavy metal that was distinctly ahead of its time. Always at the vanguard of innovation, Kuusniemi has consistently harnessed the latest technology to expand his artistic expression. In 1981, showcasing his forward-thinking prowess, Kuusniemi produced and directed a full album length broadcast quality music video for his third album, Kimmo Kuusniemi Band “Moottorilinnut”. Coincidentally, this was the same year MTV made its debut in the USA, signalling the onset of a new era for music and visual media. Though MTV was launching on the other side of the Atlantic, Kuusniemi’s ambitious project underscored his position at the forefront of the evolving music-video landscape.
In the 1980s, Kuusniemi ventured deeply into environmental film-making. He produced a series of informational short films and documentaries highlighting various environmental topics, aimed at educating and raising public awareness.
This commitment to environmental consciousness culminated in the 1991 with the Double Vision’s “Dream On” project—a compelling film and extended single produced for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). More than three decades ago, “Dream On” music video projected a cautionary tale of an impending environmental crisis. Disturbingly, the future once envisioned by the “Dream On” project has now become our present reality, showcasing humanity’s prolonged inaction. Following “Dream On”, Kuusniemi continued to make his mark in the realm of film and television. He produced several TV documentaries that achieved international distribution. Among his most notable works is the groundbreaking 8-hour adventure/history TV series, “Baltic Sea Adventure/Hunt For U479,” which garnered widespread acclaim and captivated audiences globally. Whether through his compelling documentaries, informational films, or innovative projects like the Ancient Streaming Assembly, Kuusniemi’s work continues to intertwine ancestral wisdom with the pressing concerns of the modern world. His efforts resonate with the imperative need to harmonise with nature, drawing insights from the past and weaving them into the tapestry of today’s narrative.
About Tuomas Rounakari
Diving deep into the archived recordings of Siberian shamans, Tuomas birthed the SHAMANVIOLIN performance. His art is deeply influenced by the historical wax-cylinder recordings made by Finnish ethnographer Kai Donner between 1912 and 1914, which highlighted extinct languages and forgotten songs. Tuomas’ field trip to Siberia in 2002 further immersed him in the indigenous Khanty and Forest-Nenets cultures, expanding his repertoire. A child prodigy on the violin, he always had an affinity for music that sent him into a trance state. Moving to New York City in 1998, Tuomas explored World music and recognized the value of oral traditions. This epiphany led him back to his Finnish roots, where he discovered the intersection of Siberian shamanic music with Finnish laments. By 2001, Tuomas was back in Finland, evolving his Shamanviolin performance and integrating his compositions with musical traditions from the Eurasian Arctic. This journey also led him to teach laments, revitalising this almost-extinct musical tradition. Today, Tuomas continues to travel the globe, performing with Shamanviolin, while also conducting workshops on shamanic traditions and music. As a current doctoral student at the Sibelius-Academy, he’s uniting traditions, times, and cultures, inviting all into a transcendent musical experience exclusively through the soundscapes of Shamanviolin.
About Steve Di Giorgio
In the vast spectrum of metal music, Steve Di Giorgio is a luminary, distinguished by his unparalleled mastery of the fretless bass. While he is prominently recognised for his pivotal contributions to the renowned metal band Testament, Steve’s virtuosity extends beyond. He showcased his adaptability as a session musician for Megadeth’s 2022 release, “The Sick, the Dying … and the Dead!” Over time, his collaborations with diverse bands and artists have underscored his stature as one of the metal realm’s most coveted bassists. Di Giorgio’s relentless pursuit of innovation, coupled with his unwavering dedication, cements his legacy as a stalwart in the ever-evolving heavy metal landscape.
“In the Eyes of God” is a captivating melodic death metal/folk metal composition that takes listeners on a sonic journey. The song’s atmosphere is reminiscent of a thrilling freefall, creating a sense of exhilaration and wonder. Lyrically inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, the song delves into the nine spheres of heaven. “In the Eyes of God” showcases a powerful blend of melody, speed and heaviness, creating a memorable and engaging musical piece.
SYLVATICA have teamed up with Metal Shock Finland to premiere ‘In The Eyes Of God’ lyric video for Finland, enjoy it below.
Motivated by a desire to explore their own artistic style and venture into new territories, Sylvatica embarked on the creation of their third album, titled “Cadaver Synod”. This album delves into the dark tales of the Middle Ages, incorporating elements such as the haunting sounds of church organs, theremin, and Gregorian chants. The result is a set of gloomy and atmospheric compositions, enriched by the addition of Hammond organs and synthesizers, evoking a nostalgic 70s vibe with occasional doom influences. The production on this album is intentionally rawer compared to their previous works, emphasizing the organic and atmospheric aspects while embracing a more playful approach. Despite these changes, the band’s distinctive classic sound remains present, revitalized with a fresh and exciting twist.
Sylvatica has been creating captivating melodies and delivering breathtaking solos since 2009 when the band was formed by a group of childhood friends who were enamored with the folk-metal movement of the late 2000s. The band made their debut with the folk-infused EPs “Sagn & Sagaer” and “Mosemanden,” followed closely by the melodic death metal-inspired album “Evil Seeds.” During this period, they embarked on tours with renowned Danish folk-metal bands.
Having gained extensive experience from numerous concerts and studio sessions, the band released their refined album “Ashes and Snow” in 2021, receiving accolades from both Danish and international music publications. This album showcased exceptional Finnish-inspired melodic death metal, marking a significant milestone in Sylvatica’s career. Until now, when “Cadaver Synod” comes like a hurricane into Sylvatica’s discography.
“Cadaver Synod” will be released on LP (black vinyl, limited to 300) and digital formats via Mighty Music on October 20th, 2023.
Lineup: Jarden Schlesinger – vocals, guitar Thomas Haxen – bass Jacques Harm Brandt Hauge – drums Christian Christiansen – guitar
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 ) 