KICK THE GIANT to Release Debut Album “Presence” in July, First Single + Music Video ‘Out of Time’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 3, 2024
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Photography by Frida Lönnroos

Finnish progressive rock/metal band Kick The Giant is set to release their debut album ‘Presence’ on July 5th 2024 via Inverse Records. The first single ‘Out of Time’ is released today and music video made by Vesa Ilkka can be seen HERE. 

Tony Hentilä comments:
“It feels almost surreal to finally see this album coming together. We’ve been working on it for such a long time and we’ve had many delays and obstacles along the way. Just to mention a few of those i battled with cancer for the most part of 2022 – 2023 and lost my father at the end of the year. He was a huge influence for me and i loved him deeply.

After all of this it just feels so awesome to stand victorious as a survivor with the album done and just watching the music video of Out Of Time finally in it’s full glory send shivers down my spine. I love music and this band” 

LISTEN to Out of Time single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/kickthegiant-out 

Lyrics by Tony Hentilä
Composed by Tony Hentilä & Oskar Ketola
Mixed by Santtu Lehtiniemi
Mastered by Svante Forsbäck
Single cover by Inari Pöyhtäri

Presence Track list:

  1. Presence
  2. Statement
  3. Out Of Time
  4. Overture
  5. Damned Or Divine
  6. Stop Signs
  7. Distant Memories
  8. Mountain Of Nothing

Mixed by Santtu Lehtiniemi
Mastered by Svante Forsbäck
Album cover by Olli Hyvärinen

It was the summer of 2013 when Oskar Ketola and Tony Hentilä got together with an idea to form a band. Tony and Oskar had already played together in several bands and therefore the core idea for the band materialised easily. Oskars’ and Tonys’ mutual friend, Riku Rahm, joined the band soon after as their first drummer. The band performed as a trio for a while with a session bass player Kai Ketola. 
 

Several lineup changes later bass player Lauri Aho and drummer Emilio Jones joined the band and fulfilled the final lineup.

In 2014 Kick The Giant released their first single and music video “Skip!?!” which was followed by “No Boundaries” – EP in 2015. The music video for “Space Adventure Pt. 1 Pineapple” got some media attention back when the band was featured in a finnish music magazine “Soundi”. In the article Teppo Vapaus writes that the bands music is progressive, light-hearted and fun with some serious chops behind it.

The EP was followed by 2016 single and music video “Freedom” and in 2017 single “Sonja” which are the best known songs of the band..

For the past few years Kick The Giant has been working on their debut album which will be named “Presence”

Line-up:
Tony Hentilä – Guitar & Vocals
Oskar Ketola – Keyboards & Vocals
Lauri Aho – Bass & Backing Vocals
Emilio Jones – Drums, Percussions & Backing Vocals

https://www.facebook.com/kickthegiantofficial
https://www.instagram.com/kickthegiantofficial
https://kickthegiant.bandcamp.com

ANA Push Haute Couture to New Level in New ‘Scars’ Music Video, New Album Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 3, 2024
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(Photo Credit: Electrum Photography)

Symphonic metal band ANA just released a new album entitled The Art of Letting Go via Eclipse Records on March 29th, and earlier today; the band dropped their third music video from the album entitled “Scars”. The music video was directed by Peter Coulson, whose work has been published as covers and editorials in magazines worldwide, winning multiple prestigious awards including AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year, and AIPP Fashion Photographer of the Year 3 times.

“We had a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with the amazing Peter Coulson” says lead vocalist Anna Khristenko. “We needed one more music video and he happened to have some time between his busy schedule, which was truly a blessing. I have worked with Peter many times before, so we have developed very good chemistry and strong trust between us. On the other hand, it may have been a bit of a learning curve for my band, as Peter’s methods can be unorthodox. He was truly like no other director they’d ever worked with. Even though the subject matter may weigh heavy on the heart, the video is stunningly beautiful. The video was shot in black and white to represent the past. The effect of a black and white video also means that your eyes are not distracted by colors and makes you focus more on the performance and emotions. The message I want to bring across is that even in pain there is beauty to be found.” Director Peter Coulson adds, “I just push buttons and allowed Anna and the band to do the rest.”

Ana’s new EP album is entitled The Art of Letting Go and the record is a portrait of passionate emotions bared to the bone, the skin peeled back on our hearts showing new vibrant colors. The album was produced by Josh Mak & Anna Khristenko, recorded & mixed by Chris Themelco (Eye of the Enemy, Colour & Shade, Naberus) at Monolith Studios, and mastered by Thomas ‘Plec’ Johansson (Groove Armada, Soilwork, Mayhem) at The Panic Room Studio. Vocalist Anna Khristenko offers us an intimate vocal that is mesmerizing, smooth, and ethereal, yet also rocking, sassy, and badass. The arrangements on this record are dynamically intriguing and sonically satisfying. Like a magic carpet ride through mist and shadows, the band creates a sense of suspense and payoff like some mystic noir-setting suddenly becoming a lighted path to an absolutely beautiful music that is addictive, catchy, and hauntingly vivid. The rhythm guitar patterns are crisp and full, the lead solos electrifying, and the keys used inventively as lead, background, and counterpoint in a variety of soundscapes. The bass is all balls and bottom, and the drums alternate between a deep groove, a force on the march, and flares and fireworks in hummingbird sixteenths smooth as late autumn dusk. Altogether, this record makes the chaotic parts of life seem poetic, and it reinforces to us that there is still room for radiance in our souls, in our lives, in the world. The Art of Letting Go was released on March 29, 2024 by Eclipse Records.

So far, the band has released three music videos from the album for the songs entitled “Ouroboros”, “Moth”, and “Scars”. Watch them all at this location.

The Art of Letting Go is available now on all platforms via https://ffm.to/anaart

For more information about Ana and their “Scars” music video, please visit them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and follow them on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, Tidal, or Deezer.
For more information about Peter Coulson, visit https://www.peter-coulson.com.au/

The Art of Letting Go track listing
01. I’m Not the One
02. Scars
03. Ouroboros
04. Sirens (Remastered)
05. Moth

Ana lineup
Anna Khristenko (Vocals), Josh Mak (Guitar), Tory Giamba (Bass), Cleveland Beckford Gonzalez (Drums), Matt Williamson (Keys)

TRANSATLANTIC Release Video for ‘Lay Down Your Life’ from “Live at Morsefest 2022: The Absolute Whirlwind”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 3, 2024
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TRANSATLANTIC – the Prog Supergroup of Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas – recently announced the release of ‘Live at Morsefest 2022: The Absolute Whirlwind’ for the 26th  April 2024. This mammoth Limited 5CD + 2 Blu-ray Artbook set features both sets from Morsefest in their entirety, with nearly 4 and a half hours of music in total. 

Now the band are pleased to reveal a video of them performing ‘Lay Down Your Life’
from night 1 of Morsefest.

Pre-order the album as a Limited 5CD + Blu-ray artbook, featuring an extensive 36-page booklet including photos and liner notes, here: https://transatlantic.lnk.to/LiveAtMorsefest2022-TheAbsoluteWhirlwind

WHEEL Launch Second Single ‘Porcelain’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 3, 2024
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Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel recently announced the release of their much-anticipated third studio album ‘Charismatic Leaders’ on the 3rd  May 2024. The album was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel’s ever-heightening benchmarks and recording with engineers/co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023. The end result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist James Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala’s third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.

Today they launch the album’s second track, the dynamic and expansive ‘Porcelain’,
and you can listen now here: https://wheelband.lnk.to/CharismaticLeaders

Charismatic Leaders’ clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (also featuring the Rumination EP tracks as bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems).

Pre-order your copy now here: https://wheelband.lnk.to/CharismaticLeaders

HANGING GARDEN Unveil Live Video for ‘The Construct’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 3, 2024
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Photo credit: Toni Hatakka

Finnish HANGING GARDEN drops the second single & live video from its forthcoming digital EP of remade songs off “The Garden”. The EP, “Citylight Sessions”, sees the band transform its style from gothic/doom to dark synth-pop mixed with rock. The five track journey is coming to streaming platforms on April 19th via Agonia Records. Listen to “The Construct”, here:

On “Citylight Sessions”, the Finnish ensemble unveils a journey into the urban and the ethereal. The distinctive release showcases a series of alternative renditions of five tracks from their critically acclaimed album, 2023’s “The Garden”; bringing a fresh, atmospheric perspective to their signature sound. 

In an unprecedented move, HANGING GARDEN transforms its sonic landscape by stripping away the familiar cloak of gothic doom metal. Instead, the band embraces a lush symphony of synths, ethereal guitar soundscapes, and drum machines, creating an intimate and hauntingly beautiful experience.

“Citylight Sessions” was recorded during an intimate live performance at the contemporary gallery space of the design company Paja & Bureau. The juxtaposition of HANGING GARDEN‘s haunting melodies against the backdrop of Paja & Bureau‘s innovative design space creates an experience that is delightfully distinct from conventional music venues. The entire performance was filmed and is expected to be unveiled in video format with the EP’s premiere.

The mixing, mastering and cover artwork were done by Toni Hatakka.

Tracklisting:
1. The Journey (Live Remake)
2. The Four Winds (Live Remake)
3. The Garden (Live Remake)
4. The Fireside (Live Remake)
5. The Construct (Live Remake)

Line-up:
Toni Hatakka – vocals
Riikka Hatakka – vocals
Jussi Hämäläinen – guitars, vocals
Mikko Kolari – guitars
Kimmo Tukiainen – guitars
Nino Hynninen – keyboards
Jussi Kirves – bass
Antti Ruokola – drums

HANGING GARDEN on-line:
Website: http://hanging-garden.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HangingGardenOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanginggrdn
Bandcamp: https://hanginggarden.bandcamp.com/

Iranian Alt Metal Artist RICOBOLSAY Releases New Single ‘Sight of My Eyes’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 3, 2024
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Artwork by Hasti

Iranian alternative metal artist Ricobolsay has unleashed his new song “Sight of my eyes” upon the masses. 

Ricobolsay’s newest venture “Sight of my eyes” is sung from the perspective of the lover of a Sunflower. The sunflower with its inherent beauty acts as the sight and vision of the lover, and makes it possible for the lover to behold the sparkle in the stars in the Sky. The song opens up with a bittersweet guitar intro that transitions into an uplifting modern alternative metal riff. “Sight of my eyes” balances energetic riffs with a somber atmosphere. The guitar solo is reminiscent of Tom Morello’s solos using experimental tones.

Listen to “Sight of my eyes” here: https://fanlink.tv/sight-of-my-eyes or on Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/PYissZH5jCk7snxbA

Ethereal atmospheres mixed with raw and authentic vocals, Ricobolsay defines Iran’s alternative rock and metal landscape. Based in Tehran, and conceived in 2023 by Amir Mohammad Farimani, Ricobolsay is an emotional outlet for the Iranian alternative metal multi-instrumentalist. The project’s dedication to live instruments and the lack of samples in its music, make Ricobolsay stand out in today’s modern alternative rock/metal musical landscape.
Lyrically, Ricobolsay is inspired by personal experiences living in Iran as an underground artist, the concepts of love, and the perspective of living under the stars and sky. Overall, the project maintains an optimistic message, “Despite all of the ugliness in the world, it’s still beautiful.”

Ricobolsay line-up:
Amir Mohammad Farimani – Everything

“Sight of my eyes” credits:
Lyrics and Music by Ricobolsay
Music mixed and mastered by Ricobolsay
Vocals mixed and mastered by Arash Bayat

More information at https://instagram.com/ricobolsay