With well-produced, doom-groovy, stoner/sludge Swedish metallers VAK were highly praised for their previous albums! And on September 1st, via Indie Recordings, VAK are back with their highly anticipated third album “The Islands”.
VAK is often noted for their ability to incorporate more than just one style and genre in their music, drawing inspiration from a great variety of bands and artists. The band is known for their exhilarating and dynamic soundscape, where elements from sludge, progressive metal and synth are flawlessly mixed together.
VAK states: “With this album, we have continued to develop our multifaceted version of what has been called our style of progressive sludge. We wanted it to result in an almost unbearable tension between the powerful and sludgy dimensions and the progressive aspects. We are very happy with the album, although the writing and recording turned out to become a very lengthy process.
Lyrically, the album engages in conflicting visions of the city of Stockholm and its “Islands”, both presenting fundamentally critical aspects and winkling out hopeful notions of the city, and thereby mostly, and literally, focusing on underground dimensions of the city, such as ideas of sewer cafes and underground cinemas.”
ABOUT VAK from Stockholm, Sweden consists of experienced musicians, who fuse seemingly uncompromising genres into a new and powerful blend. Their last album “Low Wind” got rave reviews.
UK Magazine Zero Tolerance wrote that it was; “one of 2019’s contenders for best stoner metal album! […] It’s one thing to pack an album full of crushing riffs, memorable hooks, and passionate performances, but VAK truly evoke a unified togetherness that beams throughout”, while Metal Temple (UK) gave it a 9/10, stating that; “VAK is its own unique breed, one that has hints of the past but is focused solely on the future.”
Praised for their ability to incorporate more than just one style and genre in their music, drawing inspiration from a great variety of bands and artists,
VAK’s upcoming album “The Islands” is something to look forward to!
BAND MEMBERS Tobias Alpadie – Guitars Anders Bartonek – Drums Patrik Engström – Guitars Jesper Skarin – Bass, Vocals Robin Skarin – Keyboards
Italians thrash masters GAME OVER have released a video for their first single ‘Synthetic Dreams’, taken from the new album ‘Hellframes’ to be released on October 20th via Scarlet Records.
‘Hellframes’ is a neck-breaking album where Game Over keep delivering their rabid, insane brand of thrash metal and pushing the songwriting out of the comfort zone at the same time.
A frantic mix of thrashing madness, punk attitude, infecting melodies and some creepy obscure atmospheres.
Lyrically-wise, a couple of tracks are intricately woven together, telling the tale of a 15th century priest who birthed an occult cult, re-discovered in modern times through technology and unleashing unspeakable evil from hell.
Other songs delve into the depths of human existence and mind – exploring pain, fear, and the relentless struggles we face every day.
recorded at Raptor Recording Studio (Destrage, Slander, Dufresne)
cover & artwork by Mario López (Evil Invaders, Toxik, Crystal Viper)
for fans of Death Angel, Megadeth, Suicidal Tendencies, Cro-Mags, Mercyful Fate
Summer passed with in a flash but FIGHT THE FIGHT haven’t spent it slacking around. Their new single – the mighty and enigmatic 12800 has already attracted massive attention online.
The video, unveiling the drum recording of this single with the charismatic and energetic Baard Kolstad (Leporus) behind the drums, has now gone viral on Instagram. Boosting followers both there and on Spotify. At 01:28 minutes – 12800 is effective, kicking, and catchy as hell!
The single brings you further into the ventures of Fight the Fights melodic deathcore and digs even deeper into the spiritual awakening Fight the Fight went through whilst creating this album.
Fight the Fight comment:
“”12800″ is a short and intense song about our Ancestry on earth. We cant wait for you to hear it”
Fight the Fight are Tord Statle Larsen – Guitar, backing vocals Fredrik Teig Bergstrøm – Guitar, main vocals Hans-Magnus Endestad Hermansen – Bass, backing vocals Baard Kolstad – Drums
US rock quintet MAD PAINTER has officially inked a record deal with Epictronic Records for the release of their sophomore album, “Splashed.” This musical gem is slated to hit the airwaves on October 20th, 2023, and promises to be a musical masterpiece that will resonate with rock enthusiasts worldwide. “Splashed” is a captivating fusion of heavy rock anthems, 1970s-style, drawing inspiration from the iconic sound of Uriah Heep, as well as melodious and bluesy ballads, and infectious retro pop that will delight diverse music enthusiasts.
Recorded during and after the challenging pandemic lockdown, the album’s creation was a labor of love and determination. With restrictions limiting studio gatherings to no more than three people at a time, Mad Painter demonstrated unwavering commitment, dedicating one year to the recording and an additional year to the mixing and mastering of the 17 mesmerizing tracks that comprise “Splashed.” A true testament to their enduring passion for music.
The album features a collection of timeless tracks, with some dating back to 1997, an era well before Mad Painter’s formation. Tracks such as “I Don’t Know,” “A Friend In France,” and “Lie To Me” were initially demoed by Alex, the band’s visionary songwriter, then thoughtfully preserved for nearly a quarter-century before being brought back to life with a contemporary touch. Similarly, “You Nearly Stole My Heart Away,” penned in 2011, showcases a breezy Al Stewart-style melody with a rhythm pattern reminiscent of the Zombies’ classic “Time of the Season,” exemplifying the evolution of ideas and the true essence of Mad Painter’s unique sound.
“Splashed” further introduces orchestrated ballads like “I’ve Been A Fool” and “I Live For Love,” originally from the band’s early lineup, and pop-infused tunes inspired by the likes of ABBA and Elton John, such as “Love Is Gold.” Throughout the album, Mad Painter’s signature style remains steadfast, blending heavy rock fueled by organ and guitar, drawing influences from legendary acts like Deep Purple, Mountain, Argent, Bloodrock, Procol Harum, and the Small Faces.
With “Splashed” paving the way for their musical journey, Mad Painter has already begun working on their follow-up album, reaffirming their commitment to crafting genuine and enthralling rock anthems that stand the test of time.
Rooted in the heart of Boston, Mad Painter stands as a quintessential emblem of the timeless melodic rock traditions of the 1970s. Led by the visionary songwriter Alex Gitlin, the band comprises drummer Alan Hendry, bassist Kenne Highland, and guitarist Alan Naha, each bringing diverse musical backgrounds to the mix. Recently, the addition of backing vocalists Sharon Crumrine and Julie Gee has further enriched the band’s already mesmerizing performances.
Mad Painter’s scintillating live shows have garnered rave reviews from critics and journalists alike. Their stage presence, complemented by authentic 70s rock vibes, matching stage attire, and exceptional musicianship, creates an electric atmosphere, igniting the crowd to dance and sing along —making each show an unforgettable performance. The band’s recent release of two singles and their latest album this year has further solidified their status as a rising rock powerhouse, attracting a dedicated fanbase eager to embark on a nostalgic journey with Mad Painter.
In 2018, Austin, Texas based melodic death metal unit HINAYANA ensnared the masses with their self-released debut, Order Divine, and later defied the pandemic with their subsequent 2020 release, the Death Of The Cosmic EP. Now, the band returns with their long-anticipated sophomore full-length, Shatter And Fall, out November 10, 2023 via Napalm Records – and it proves well worth the wait.
Produced by frontman Casey Hurd and Kevin Butler with mastering by Dan Swanö at Unisound, Shatter And Fall features guest contributions from melodic death metal purveyors and labelmates Tuomas Saukkonen of WOLFHEART and Vincent Jackson Jones of AETHER REALM. Setting them apart from genre greats like Insomnium, Amorphis and Swallow the Sun, Shatter And Fall incorporates modern, accessible elements, emerging as a fresh entry in this year’s most unmissable metal offerings. The album serves as a darker, more solemn work in comparison to their debut, yet superior without question in songwriting, technicality and cohesiveness.
Today, the band kicks things off with groove-laden first single “Reverse The Code”. Backed by an impressive official music video, the track boasts catchy chorus progressions, engaging verses and technical aptitude, blending progressive touches with punishing extremity.
Frontman Casey Hurd says about the track: “Regrets and mistakes. ‘Reverse The Code’ is about our hopeless and futile desire to be able to go back in time and change things in our past. The single serves as a perfect introduction to the fierce evolution of our sound that is Shatter And Fall.”
Shatter And Fall not only proves itself as an impressive sophomore entry for HINAYANA, but a benchmark in the annals of American melodic death metal history.
Frontman Casey Hurd adds about the album: “Shatter And Fall is about Karma, one’s own fate, consequences, grief about our own actions, depression, loss of faith, yin and yang, light and dark, and our own unchanging nature as humans. It’s darker, heavier, and more diverse than our previous releases. We’re evolving and expanding on our sound to include more catchy and anthemic elements in addition to the darker, heavier material. This new album is a significant milestone for HINAYANA.”
Introductory track “Slowly Light Collides” opens the heavy gates of Shatter And Fall without hesitation, setting the stage for its impending intensity with a potent mixture of headbang-inducing heaviness and hair-raising melodies and harmonies. Second track “Mind Is A Shadow”, featuring guest vocals from Vincent Jackson Jones of fellow American melodic death metal frontrunners AETHER REALM, hits equally hard with a gripping, chunky verse riff and searing chorus. Frontman Casey Hurd’s deep growls juxtapose effortlessly with Jones’s skyscraper screams before a seizing solo from Erik Shtaygrud marks the track’s apex. Anthems like “How Many Dreams”, “The Answer” and enthralling groove machine “Reverse The Code” – the latter boasting one of the album’s most flourishing closer passages – march further into the icy depths, proving Shatter And Fall as a multifaceted melodeath record.
Powerful “Spirit And Matter” and somber yet essential, spine-tingling “Triptych Visions” feature some of the album’s most melancholic and introspective moments, traversing expansive peaks and valleys of deep metallic intensity and some of the album’s most delicate, acoustic-driven moments. The implementation of diverse styles, showcased by the varied instrumentation and intensity of songs like touching interlude “From Our Darkest Moments”, versus massive, crushing sonic saga “Lost To Flame”, poise the band for undeniable recognition. All-consuming single “A Tide Unturning”, featuring guest vocal contributions from Tuomas Saukkonen of Finnish melodic death icons WOLFHEART, shines as the most desolate summit of Shatter And Fall, serving as one of the most brutalizing yet pensive ballads of 2023. The album ends on the grimmest note of all with blackened closer “Taken”, a re-recorded, renewed look back at a track originally released on the band’s 2014 demo Endless – marking an apt finish to an contemplative, emotional album tangling with themes of fate, grief and inevitable consequence.
Shatter And Fall track listing: 1. Slowly Light Collides 2. Mind Is A Shadow (feat. Vincent Jackson Jones) 3. How Many Dreams 4. Spirit And Matter 5. From Our Darkest Moments 6. Reverse The Code 7. Lost To Flame 8. The Answer 9. Triptych Visions 10. A Tide Unturning (feat. Tuomas Saukkonen) 11. Taken
In other news, HINAYANA will join headliners WOLFHEART and fellow support act BEFORE THE DAWN on a tour of Europe and the UK this fall! The tour will take place all throughout November and will visit London, Paris, Budapest, Berlin and many more major cities! Don’t miss this exciting lineup – see below for all dates.
WOLFHEART w/ HINAYANA and BEFORE THE DAWN | Europe/UK 2023: 11/3 (CH) Aarau // Kiff* 11/4 (BE) Louvain La Neuve // Mass Deathtruction Festival* 11/5 (UK) London // The Dome* 11/6 (NL) Rotterdam // Baroeg 11/7 (FR) Paris // Backstage By The Mill 11/8 (DE) Siegburg // Kubana 11/9 (DE) Trier // Mergener Hof 11/10 (NL) Helmond // Cacaofabriek 11/11 (DE) Essen // Turock 11/12 (AT) Innsbruck // Pmk 11/3 (SD) Liubliana / / Orto Bar 11/14 (DE) Munich // Backstage Halle 11/15 (HU) Budapest // Barba Negra 11/16 (AT) Vienna // Szene 11/17 (DE) Leipzig // Hellraiser 11/18 (DE) Weissenhäuser Strand // Metal Hammer Paradise 11/19 (DE) Berlin // Orwo Haus 11/20 (CZ) Prague // Futurum 11/21 (PL) Warsaw // Hydrozagadka 11/22 (PL) Krakow / / Kamienna12 11/23 (DE) Dresden // Chemiefabrik 11/24 (DE) Mannheim // Ms Connexion Complex 11/25 (DE) Hannover // Musikzentrum 11/26 (NL) Maastricht // Muziekgieterij
HINAYANA is: Casey Hurd – Guitar/Vocals Daniel Vieira – Drums Erik Shtaygrud – Guitar Michael Anstice – Keyboard Matt Bius – Bass
Arizona death metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY return after a near decade long hiatus with their brand new single and accompanying video for “The Agony Seeping Storm.” The track comes by way of the band’s first new full-length in a decade, set for release in 2024 via Metal Blade Records!
JOB FOR A COWBOY released their Sun Eater full-length in 2014. The record received an overwhelmingly positive response, with Decibel Magazine confessing, “Fuck it, I can admit when I’m wrong… while I was busy pointedly not paying attention to them, these deathcore progenitors actually became a pretty damn good band.” In a 4.5/5 review, Alternative Press championed, “a full-on progressive death metal band… the songs have progressive sweep and epic power, at times recalling Opeth’s heavier work,” adding, “Sun Eater is one of 2014′s best metal albums, period,” while Metal Injection hailed an album, “that will be a solid brick in the foundation of the death metal genre with no gimmicks or trends to back it up.”
Ten years later, the band returns with their most volatile work to date. The as-yet-untitled full-length is at once musically multifaceted, unabashedly brutal, and compellingly conceptual. First single, “The Agony Seeping Storm,” is a mathematically mind-blowing hybrid of bludgeoning death metal specializing in unconventional riffing that echoes the resemblance of legendary experimentalists like Cynic, Atheist, and Gorguts. A newly refreshed and reinspired lineup – vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman, bassist Nick Schendzielos, and drummer (since 2020) Navene Koperweis – seamlessly pick up the mantle where Sun Eater left off.
Issues Davy, “‘The Agony Seeping Storm’ gives a slice of our upcoming concept record. Regarding the video, the band collaborated extensively with director K. Hunter Lumar (Digital Mile), while our bassist, Nick Schendzielos, co-directed. The concept was inspired by a close friend who embarked on a relentless quest for profound enlightenment through the incessant abuse of hallucinogenic drugs. However, as they delved deeper into their religious-like experimentation they began exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. They came to believe that they could access an alternate, esoteric reality through hallucinogenic intoxication, where they encountered gnostic and biblical figures and imagery. These songs reflect their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.”
Further info on JOB FOR A COWBOY‘s new full-length will be revealed in the coming weeks. Stay alert!
JOB FOR A COWBOY‘s official comeback show will take place at this year’s edition of Blue Ridge Rock Fest with additional live dates to be announced soon.
JOB FOR A COWBOY Live: 9/08/2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Alton, VA
JOB FOR A COWBOY hails from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band’s debut album, Genesis, was released in 2007, peaking at #54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009’s Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position #42 on the Billboard 200 chart! The band has been described by The New York Times as “an Arizona band with a guttural, brute-force sound descended (indirectly) from hardcore punk,” and a, “straightforwardly brutal act,” by Rolling Stone Magazine. The band has appeared on numerous music festivals both stateside and abroad, including Sounds Of The Underground, Download Festival, Mayhem Festival, Summer Slaughter, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Wacken Open Air, among others.
JOB FOR A COWBOY: Jonny Davy – vocals Al Glassman – guitar Nick Schendzielos – bass Tony Sannicandro – 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 ) 