Originally released by Century Media back in 2003, The Antidote is yet another Moonspell album that drifted off the paths of the trendy symphonic metal that dominated the scene at the time. It’s a record that laughed at the softening powers in power metal that began poisoning the scene 20 years ago. Thus… it has been, again, misunderstood by the fans and the press alike.
That didn’t stop The Antidote from becoming a long ago out of print, sold-out record and an unnamed classic in its own right. To properly celebrate its two decades of life, TheAntidote will be re-released via Napalm Records on September 29, 2023, under exclusive licensing from Century Media! Exactly 20 years after its original release, Moonspell will once again bring you the fear and the intimidation of an album inspired by what we dread: our darkest dreams and bleak crossroads. It’s a tribal, ritualistic album, devoid of the plastic, business-like beauty of what became gothic metal along the way.
An album that scares the hell out of you and wraps you in the truth of darkness.
An album that is also a book by Jose Luis Peixoto, one of Portugal’s most celebrated authors, and that opens traps beneath your feet and holes within your mind – a work that is not for the faint of heart.
Here’s your second chance to own it and to claim the consternation inside of you. The Antidote, in its cup, is yours to take – if only you could dare…
The Antidote will be available as CD Digipak, LP Gatefold Vinyl editions and a highly collectable, limited Deluxe Earbook on September 29th, pre-order this must-have MOONSPELL classic HERE!
The Antidote track listing:
In and Above Men
From Lowering Skies
Everything Invaded
The Southern Deathstyle
Antidote
Capricorn at Her Feet
Lunar Still
A Walk on the Darkside
Crystal Gazing
As we Eternally Sleep on it
MOONSPELL Live: August 10, 2023 (CZ) Brutal Assault August 11, 2023 (ROM) Bucovina Motorfest August 25, 2023 (PT) Milagre Metaleiro
Goth rock all-stars, THE 69 EYES, are setting the scene alight with another high-profile hit, hot on the heels of their gothabilly transformation of The Cramps’ “Aloha From Hell.” Their latest release comes just in time to bring the summer heat, as they roar to the forefront with a fiery rendition of Rammstein’s explosive hit, “Feuer Frei!” This scorching track was originally released as the fifth single from the German industrial giants’ third album, Mutter, which debuted on April 2nd, 2001, and has since sold nearly 1.7 million records worldwide. On August 9th, 2002, “Feuer Frei!” made its film debut in the Rob Cohen action feature, xXx, starring Vin Diesel, and can be heard in its near entirety at the beginning of the film, which takes place at a Rammstein concert.
Never ones to be outdone, however, The 69 Eyes have released their own cinematic companion to the track in the form of an official music video. Directed by the acclaimed Vicente Cordero, this riveting display of pyromania-filled foreplay, courtesy of fire performers IvorySith & Kay Von Kola, perfectly captures the essence of the band’s eternally debonair rock ‘n’ roll flair, while simultaneously increasing the piston pressure of the original. Musically, The 69 Eyes’ rendition of “Feuer Frei!” acts as a sonic reflection of the incendiary imagery burning through the screen, complete with a seamless blend of goth, rock, and industrial elements, no doubt bound to resonate with both The 69 Eyes’ fervent fanbase and Rammstein enthusiasts alike. Speaking to the impassioned demand for this very crossover, lead singer Jyrki 69 exclaims, “The 69 Eyes has been asked to cover Rammstein for decades. Now we finally did it!”
“Feuer Frei!” infiltrates the airwaves just as The 69 Eyes embark on their journey across Europe. The Gotta Rock Summer Tour includes several performances across Finland and the UK, as well as a stop in Hildesheim, Germany, where they will grace the stage as part of the M’era Luna Festival elite on Sunday, August 13th. This festival is one of the biggest goth gatherings on earth, boasting over 25,000 attendees from around the world.
“Feuer Frei!” arrives as a standout single ahead of forthcoming full-length feature, A Tribute To Rammstein, available worldwide on August 25th. This power-packed compilation features both old and new school industrial acts, including Priest, Manntra, and Julien-K, joining forces with vanguard veterans, Front Line Assembly, Laibach, Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory), Paul Ferguson (Killing Joke), and Skold (KMFDM/Shotgun Messiah), for a one-of-a-kind aggrotech amalgamation of industrial and dark electro.
Napalm Records is proud to announce the signing of the world’s fastest band – GRAMMY nominated power metal legends DRAGONFORCE! Formed in 1999, the London, UK based unit has captivated audiences worldwide with their highly successful records and iconic singles, including the platinum-selling anthem “Through the Fire and Flames.” Renowned for their epic compositions, DRAGONFORCE’s signature lies in their masterful and lightning-fast guitar solos, brilliantly crafted by the virtuosic duo of Herman Li and Sam Totman. Comprising vocalist Marc Hudson, bassist Alicia Vigil, and drummer Gee Anzalone, the five-piece ensemble draws inspiration from a myriad of heavy metal styles, fantasy realms, and video games, blending 80’s rock influences with infectious sing-along choruses and uplifting melodies.
Together with today’s signing announcement, and with their most ambitious album on the horizon, DRAGONFORCE is excited to announce the North American headline leg of a colossal world tour that promises to be their most exhilarating to date! Featuring special guests Amaranthe with additional support from Napalm Records labelmates NanowaR of Steel, as well as Edge of Paradise, the tour will begin on October 20, 2023 in Mesa, AZ. After visiting many major cities across the US and Canada, the tour will culminate in a grand finale in Los Angeles, CA on November 19. DRAGONFORCE promises to take their unique stage production to new heights, presenting a fresh setlist that includes new tracks, songs not played for a long time and beloved classics.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:00AM local time. To secure your spot, visit dragonforce.com for ticket options and limited VIP upgrades.
In the meantime, European fans can catch the band’s energetic live performance at their remaining summer festival shows at Leyendas del Rock and Summer Breeze Open Air.
Stay tuned for news on upcoming releases from DRAGONFORCE!
DRAGONFORCE frontman Herman Li on the signing: “We are absolutely thrilled to join forces with Napalm Records, a true powerhouse in the metal music universe! This marks the beginning of an epic new chapter for DragonForce, and we’re eager to see what our collaboration will bring to our fans around the world!”
Napalm Records Managing Director Thomas Caser adds: “It’s an absolute honor to team up with the mighty DRAGONFORCE and announce this signing today. Their speed, sound and hooks are undeniably legendary along with their captivating and unique concepts! We look forward to getting their new music out to the world!”
Herman Li adds on the tour: “We’re really looking forward to touring in the US and Canada again. We’ve prepared a new setlist with some brand new songs that we’ll be releasing before the tour begins. Alongside these, we’ll also be playing some older songs that haven’t been in our setlist for a long time, as well as some classic favorites that are a must. It’s shaping up to be a fantastic tour!”
Festival Shows Aug 11 – Spain, Villena – Leyendas del Rock 2023 Aug 19 – Germany, Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze Open Air 2023
North American Tour 2023 w/ Amaranthe, NanowaR of Steel + Edge of Paradise Oct 20 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater* Oct 21 – Albuquerque, NM – Revel* Oct 23 – Austin, TX – Empire Garage Oct 24 – Dallas, TX – The Granada Oct 25 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Oct 27 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues Oct 28 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room Oct 30 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Heaven Oct 31 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground Nov 01 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage Nov 03 – New York, NY – Palladium Time Square Nov 04 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium Nov 05 – Montreal, QC – MTelus Nov 06 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall Nov 08 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater Nov 09 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Nov 10 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues Nov 11 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue Nov 12 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater Nov 14 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall Nov 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot Nov 16 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory Nov 18 – Berkeley, CA – UC Theater Nov 19 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern * no NanowaR of Steel
DRAGONFORCE is: Herman Li – Guitar, Backing Vocals Sam Totman – Guitar, Backing Vocals Marc Hudson – Vocals Alicia Vigil – Bass, Backing Vocals Gee Anzalone – Drums, Backing Vocals
ILLEGAL MIND set the stage ablaze with their fiery metal cover of Käärijä’s Eurovision sensation, “Cha Cha Cha,” now brilliantly interpreted in Hebrew. This captivating debut marks a significant milestone for the band, showcasing their raw talent and dedication to pushing boundaries in the world of music.
Recorded entirely by the multi-talented vocalist and guitarist Maxx Dee, Illegal Mind’s version of “Cha Cha Cha” seamlessly fuses the infectious energy of the original with the unrelenting power of metal. The exceptional vocal delivery and skillful guitar work add a whole new dimension to the song, leaving listeners spellbound from start to finish. Each element meticulously crafted to perfection, this remarkable performance is a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment to their art.
To complement the powerful music, “Illegal Mind” also released an enthralling music video for “Cha Cha Cha,” available on their official YouTube channel. The visually stunning video perfectly captures the essence of the song, adding an extra layer of intensity to the band’s electrifying performance.
“We were drawn to the energy and emotion of Käärijä’s ‘Cha Cha Cha,’ and we knew we had to make it our own in a way that truly reflects our style,” said Illegal Mind’s lead vocalist and guitarist. “Recording the entire cover as a solo effort was a challenge, but it allowed us to showcase our individual talents and artistic vision. We’re thrilled to share this unique metal interpretation with the world.”
With its captivating fusion of genres and relentless intensity, Illegal Mind’s cover of “Cha Cha Cha” is set to make waves in the metal community and beyond. This remarkable performance is sure to captivate music lovers seeking a fresh and invigorating sonic experience. Fans of Käärijä will be delighted to discover a whole new dimension to the song they already love.
Illegal Mind’s debut metal cover of “Cha Cha Cha” is available on major streaming platforms and digital music stores.
Illegal Mind is an explosive metal band that began shaping their unique sound in one of Tel Aviv’s studios in February 2018. Comprised of talented musicians, the band embarked on a journey to craft their powerful EP album, “Forbidden Content,” which earned them a dedicated fanbase. Drawing inspiration from dystopian and mythological themes, their vocalist’s evocative lyrics create a compelling narrative about the direction of humanity. As they prepare to release their upcoming EP, “From The Ashes,” the band promises to deliver a heavier sound and captivating performances, marking an exciting new chapter in their musical journey.
Belgian death metal crushers CARNATION are proudly presenting their new track ‘Replicant’! The new offering comes in the form of an official music video, which can be viewed via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel HERE.
‘Replicant’ is taken from the band’s newest album “Cursed Mortality”, which will be spread across the globe on the 3rd of November 2023 via Season of Mist. The album can be pre-saved HERE and pre-orders are now available HERE!
Frontman Simon Duson comments on the track:“What would you do if you came to realize that you were programmed to live for only four years? Would you accept the outcome, or try to figure out a way to extend your lifespan? Replicant is a song about dealing with the finiteness of our existence. The song was inspired by Roy Batty, a character from the movie Blade Runner. His tale perfectly embodies the message we want to portray with this track. Musically, it’s quite diverse and different compared to most of the music we have created until now. We hope this will be a welcome surprise for new and old fans alike.”
The surreal cover art for “Cursed Mortality” was created by the late, great Mariusz Lewandowski, whose dark and surreal vision perfectly captures the feel of this album. Lord of the Logos’ Christophe Szpajdel created a brand new logo and symbol to reflect this new era of CARNATION.
Tracklist: 1.Herald of Demise (04:03) feat. Andy LaRocque) 2.Maruta (04:07) [WATCH HERE] 3.Metropolis (03:24) 4.Replicant (03:49) [WATCH HERE] 5.Dutroux (03:48) 6.Submerged in Deafening Silence (04:26) 7.Cycle of Suffering (04:05) 8.Cursed Mortality (07:30) [WATCH HERE]
CARNATION live: 26-08-2023 Rock am Wehr – Jena (DE) 23-09-2023 STP Metal Weekend – St. Pölten (AT) 03-11-2023 Cultuurcentrum Zwaneberg – Heist-op-den-Berg (BE) 11-11-2023 Hell’s Balls Belgium – Kortrijk (BE) 24-11-2023 Merry Axe-Mess XIV – Mühltal (DE) 16-12-2023 Death Row – Izegem (BE) 27-07-2024 Stonehenge Festival – Steenwijk (NL)
For the last decade, CARNATION has been at the forefront of reviving old school death metal. There’s something to be said about the artfulness of taking something so primitive and walking that fine line between keeping its classic authenticity without sounding tired or dated. CARNATION has always teetered this line, injecting a fresh and contemporary approach without losing the genre’s time-honored traditions. However, the band’s third endeavor sees CARNATION erasing those boundaries entirely and abandoning any and all conventions as they traverse into daring new territory. ‘Cursed Mortality’ pulls the Belgian death dealers deeper into experimental new waters, taking risks as the band steps out of the shadows of its predecessors and comes into its own identity. ‘Cursed Mortality’s’ statement is clear: This is no longer simply a revival; this is CARNATION’s rebirth.
“We still play death metal and we still identify as such” explains frontman Simon Duson. “But we know that this is also our second decade performing it. And while it is very important for us to stay true to the old-school style, we know we had to open things up a bit and reach out to those who might be interested in extreme metal, but aren’t that much into the old aspect of it. It also feels fresher to us because we’ve decided to change our visual approach, with a new logo, a new look on stage and so on. In a way, it really feels like the beginning of a new chapter for CARNATION.”
Album number three is much more than just a new chapter, but rather feels like a sequel to an already storied career, punctuated by press accolades, an impressive history of live performances, and a lauded discography consisting of several EPs, splits, and two critically acclaimed full-length albums.
With the debut of its first EP in 2015, CARNATION quickly garnered the attention of fans, media, and most notably of all, record label Season of Mist, who quickly noticed the band’s potential and picked them up without hesitation. Upon forming this union, the band dropped its first full-length, ‘Chapel of Abhorrance,’ in 2018. Angry Metal Guy astutely noted that the Belgians’ debut album was “one of the best death metal debuts of the year, and CARNATION have earned their place as one of the most promising new bands in the genre” while Distorted Sound Magazine echoed these remarks, calling ‘Chapel of Abborhance’ “one of most brutalizing, well executed and, above all, fun, death metal releases of 2018” in its 9/10 review of the album.
CARNATION’s momentum only seemed to pick up from there. The band kept busy on the road, performing a variety of tours with their death metal brethren in Deserted Fear, Schirenc Plays, Pungent Stench, and Pestilence, while headlining stages in Japan and Brazil. Upon conquering the live circuit and laying waste to audiences across three different continents, the band unleashed its 2020 opus, ‘Where Death Lies,’ which broke them out from the underground with the kind of seismic force that most bands can only dream of. If the critics liked ‘Chapel of Abhorrance,’ ‘Where Death Lies’ was the moment they fell in love, enamored by Carnation’s relentless brutality and crushing precision.
While touring had been halted that year, CARNATION never stagnated nor waivered. The band’s tenacity paid off with their sophomore effort being named among one of the best records of the year by The Pit, Chicago Music Guide, Pandemonium Metal, and many more, while the single “Iron Discipline” was singled out by Loudwire as one of the best songs of 2020. Legacy outlet Kerrang! also took notice, ranking the band among the “50 Greatest Death Metal Bands Right Now,” cracking the top 20 picks.
While the Belgian slayers still stay true to their roots, they step outside of their comfort zone with more groove, melody, and progression, showcasing their versatility as musicians and clearly defining their own unique sound. ‘Cursed Mortality’ sounds darker, with passages of melancholic melodies that compliment the heaviness.
Most bands might feel anxious about making such dramatic changes, especially to incorporate clean vocals within such extreme music, CARNATION embraces the unknown and does not fall victim to fear or monotony. “As artists, it’s something natural,” explains Verstrepen about why the band has shifted direction. “Doing the same thing over and over again doesn’t inspire us. We love to create and we love to explore new paths. We knew some people wouldn’t like clean vocals in death metal, but we don’t want to think of that too much. We stand 100% behind our music and we really like what we did here. Some people will drop out, but there will definitely be others joining! As Lemmy would say, ‘You win some, you lose some.’”
Indeed, a personal metamorphosis is always a risk, but one that historically has paid off. The first records of bands like Black Sabbath, Carcass, Death, or even Bathory sound nothing like the mid-late era offerings of those very same artists, and yet, those records that strayed off the beaten path are regarded as some of the most seminal albums in the history of metal. Playing it safe sounds easy, but it isn’t always a part of a legend’s origin story. And CARNATION isn’t here to play by the rules; the band is ready to take a leap of faith and redefine an era.
Recording studio: Project Zero Studio
Producer / Mixing engineer: Yarne Heylen
Mastering studio and engineer: Joel Wanasek
Biography: Katy Irizarry
CARNATION Lineup: Simon Duson: Vocals Jonathan Verstrepen: Lead Guitar Bert Vervoort: Rhythm Guitar Yarne Heylen: Bass Guitar Vincent Verstrepen: Drums
French Progressive Technical Death Metal act, ANGEL RISING, is set to ignite the metal scene once again with their highly anticipated album “Afterlife.” Mark your calendars for September 22nd, 2023, as this extraordinary musical journey will be unleashed via Wormholedeath.
“Afterlife” is a concept album that delves into the depths of interdimensional existence. It follows the story of a powerful being that lurks within our universe, recognizing the threat our existence poses. In particular, the album focuses on the human species, altered after the events depicted in Angel Rising’s previous creations, now targeted by this enigmatic entity. The cover artwork vividly portrays our protagonist, Asai, locked in a fierce battle against an undead horde, blissfully unaware of the even greater peril that lies ahead.
Watch the album teaser here:
Angel Rising is a one-man band with guest appearances, that burst onto the scene in 2018 under the name Listenangel, gaining recognition through an impressive guitar-shredding YouTube channel. The debut album, self-titled “Angel Rising,” was released on April 18th, 2018, featuring renowned drummer Kevin Talley. The album received positive acclaim, leading to a deal with French metal label Music-records. “Immortal Volition,” the second album released on February 12th, 2022, showcased a darker and more technical death metal sound, garnering high acclaim upon its CD edition release on September 15th, 2022. With the upcoming release of “Afterlife” under Wormholedeath, Angel Rising solidifies their position as a formidable presence in the metal scene.
The lineup for Angel Rising consists of: Angel Rising: Guitars, Bass, Drums, Vocals Guest Singer: M.Fox (clean vocals on “Worn Out Blood” and “Dominion”)
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 ) 