The debut album “Intergalactic Battle Tunes” by the German high-speed power metallers SCULFORGE has been in the stores since 23 June and has taken the hearts of every intergalactic sci-fi and metal freak by storm with its unusual concept.
Reason enough for the 4 cosmic heroes to add a video clip to the song “Glorious”, which shows the band from a personal, private, partly also intimate side. In short: material that would fit any “found footage” movie. Take a look behind the scenes and experience the band from a side that you might not have seen befo… ahem, oh what: just have fun!
September 1, 2023 sees hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND release their epic anniversary live album, titled “Still Raging”, through AFM Records. Recorded in 2022 at a frenetically-acclaimed hometown show in Thessaloniki, Greece, “Still Raging” will be available on Blu-Ray and as a 2CD edition, the pre-sale has just recently started at THIS LOCATION!
Following a previously-released single, a new live version of “Orbitual Sunrise”, today, the band is premiering a new video clip for their classic “Maniac”!
As Gus G comments: “Maniac” is Firewind’s biggest hit and we didn’t even write it! Our Metal version of the “Flashdance” anthem goes back to 2008 straight out of “The Premonition” album of ours and it was originally recorded for fun during the album sessions. Whenever we play it live, it instantly gets the crowd on party mode and you can see that on this video from our anniversary hometown show. Enjoy!”
Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.
“It’s hard to believe that a band like Firewind has been around for 2 decades,” Gus G said. “In 2022 we had only planned a re-issue of our debut album, but with the pandemic slowly winding down, we were fortunate enough to start doing shows in America and Europe again. Come Fall of 2022 we played 2 headline shows in our homeland, Greece to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”
“Prior to the Greek shows, my friends from OTSE film crew asked me about filming our hometown gig in Thessaloniki”, the guitar legend reveals. “In a way, the stars aligned, as we returned to the same venue (Principal Club Theater), with the exact same crew that filmed our DVD back in 2008 (Live Premonition anyone?). With this opportunity in front of us, I started thinking about a cool way to put this onto our beloved fans homes as a special thank you for the support you’ve shown us over the years. Together with AFM Records, we bring you a special BluRay + 2CD package. So yeah… Firewind Still Raging, 20 years later and it’s all thanks to YOU!
While we’re currently hard at work on some new music, we hope this commemorative Live release will keep you good company, till our new Metal anthems arrive!”
FIREWIND Live: 29.07.23 CZ – Ostrava v Plamenech 04.08.23 DE – Helmfest 25.08.23 DE – Paddy Rock Open Air 02.09.23 GR – Metal Union Agrinio festival 03.09.23 GR – Gimme Shelter Open Air @ Athens Technopolis 22.09.23 CH – Rocknacht Tenwill
FIREWIND is: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
Because of the extensive back injuries suffered by Blackie Lawless during the European leg of the 40th Anniversary Tour, the W.A.S.P. 2023 U.S. Tour will be cancelled until Spring 2024. Tickets and VIP packages can be refunded at the point of purchase.
Blackie Lawless discussed his back injury, “The extent of the trauma I endured on the 2023 European Tour was far greater than originally diagnosed and surgery will now be needed to correct the problem. In addition to the original herniated disc, as that tour continued, a 2nd disc became herniated. Upon returning home a 2nd MRI also revealed a broken vertebrae to my lower back. I’ve been fortunate to work with the best specialists in the U.S. and I’ve been in intensive rehab since we got home. It’s going well but the damage was pretty extensive and all the Dr.’s agree moving the tour a few months back will be the safest thing. It’s all been as the result of an injury that happened several years ago. I’m working my butt off to get ready and I’ll be up riding on Elvis… bigger and badder than ever. If the Torture Never Stops, then the 40th Never Stops!”
About W.A.S.P.
Few Bands in the history of Rock N’ Roll have ever incited the love, the hate, the raw emotional effect this Band has had on the world. From the very beginning, in the small venues of Los Angeles California, and later to the numerous countries worldwide that banned these Winged Assassins from performing live, the Band’s unique style of Shock and Rock caused Religious organizations, Local City Councils, Parliaments, and the Washington D.C. Senate to hold hearings in an effort to bar this group from selling records and trashing stages everywhere they played.
The band’s founding member, frontman Blackie Lawless, has led the group as its lead vocalist and primary songwriter since its beginning. His unique brand of visual, social and political comment took the group to worldwide heights and sold millions of records alongside a legacy of sold out shows across the globe for 4 decades.
Joined by bassist Mike Duda and guitarist Doug Blair, whose tenures in the band span 26 and 18 years respectively, along with drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester, will take the Band and the Fans back to where it all started. Complete with the stage show extravaganza that many fans never saw live.
Witness Live the Winged Assassins spectacle of “SHOCK and ROLL” as they take you Back…Back to the Beginning!
Sofia-based ODD CREW will release their new, seventh album Dark Matters Part II at the end of this year. A first single, titled “Wings On A Burning Wind”, is now online, and available on all digital services HERE!
The band comments: ””Wings On A Burning Wind” is one of those songs that has emotions, which are beyond our control. We just put them all in it when we write music. Moreover, it is even more special because the choir at the end of the song was recorded with the voices of our close friends, whoheartedly joined in. It turned out to be an epic song, which we can’t wait to be playing on stage with great pleasure.”
The song was recorded in the band’s own ButcherHouse Studio in Sofia, Bulgaria. Despite the young age of the four members, ODD CREW is celebrating its 25th anniversary on August 1, 2023. Started their musical journey at an early age, their lineup has never been changed.
A music video for the brand new ODD CREW track, “Wings On A Burning Wind”,is now premiering here:
Following six much acclaimed studio records, two DVDs and countless live shows over more than two decades, Dark Matters Part II will see ODD CREW where they left off with Part I: Continuing their musical maturity on a new level, and one that doubles down on the band’s songwriting skills and exceptional talent. ODD CREW may have stepped out as one of Bulgaria’s best kept heavy rock and metal secrets long ago, but their epic Dark Matters-record series will make them indispensable for the global heavy music scene.
Dark Matters Part I was released in May 2022 via Drakkar Entertainment, and it’s available at THIS LOCATION!
ODD CREW is: Vasil Raykov – Lead Vocals Vasil Parvanovski – Guitar, Backing Vocals Martin Stoyanov – Bass, Backing Vocals Boyan ‘Bonzy’ Georgiev – Drums
Germany’s hottest band, FEUERSCHWANZ, have released their long-awaited brand-new studio album, Fegefeuer, today! Successor to the #1 charting (Official German Album Charts) full-length Memento Mori (2021), Fegefeuer received great attention prior to its release, with the single “Bastard Von Asgard” already passing 1 million views on YouTube. Together with today‘s album release, FEUERSCHWANZ have announced the premiere of a captivating live video for the track “Knochenkarussell” (literally meaning “carousel of bones”), out tomorrow. The video is comprised of footage from their grandiose show at Rock Harz festival, which took place on July 6.
Following a nearly fully sold out spring tour earlier this year, FEUERSCHWANZ are currently in the midst of a busy festival summer full of premium and headline slots at important European festivals – there is no doubt that this band is at the top of the German metal scene! Save the “Knochenkarussell” video premiere below, and make sure to catch FEUERSCHWANZ at one of their upcoming shows!
FEUERSCHWANZ on “Knochenkarussell”: “’Knochenkarussell’ stands for the dance with the dead, also known as ‘Danse Macabre’, an often quoted motive from the world of the Middle Ages. Whether rich or poor, king or beggar, everyone is equal in the face of death. Therefore, let’s celebrate the time we have! With the video for the song, we want to give back to all the Warriors and Valkyries out there some of the energy YOU give us every day! Let’s dance through purgatory (Fegefeuer) together in celebration of the album release! Get in, get on, for the wild ride on the ‘Knochenkarussell’!”
Set your Reminder for the Live Video Premiere for “Knochenkarussell”HERE:
Formed in 2004, FEUERSCHWANZ has gradually shifted from their roots in comedic medieval folk into a much more serious direction. With the switch to Napalm Records ahead of the release of Das Elfte Gebot (2020), FEUERSCHWANZ set their sights entirely on metal – soon becoming one of the most relevant German bands in the genre today. The band’s enormously successful previous album of original music, Memento Mori (2021), even stormed the official German charts, peaking at #1. On Fegefeuer, FEUERSCHWANZ spice up their medieval inspired folk metal with true heavy metal influences!
Get Your Copy of Fegefeuer NOW! Be Quick – First Formats Sold Out Already!
Fegefeuer kicks off with outstanding opening track “SGFRD Dragonslayer”. Successor “Bastard von Asgard” features beautiful vocals by Eluveitie’s Fabienne Erni. The catchy viking party anthem “Berzerkermode” calls for the listener to join the celebration and “party like a viking”, while the first three tracks, as well as heavy “Highlander”, are best proof of the band’s evolution from comedy rock to metal. Other tracks like the intense title track “Fegefeuer”, Lord of the Rings battlechant “Uruk-Hai” and “Die Horde” will be long-time fan favorites.
Fegefeuer stays lyrically true to trademark topics, exploring long forgotten legends and heroic battles, and shows off the band’s extraordinary musical skills. The album will be available in various formats, with some containing the live bonus album Live in Wacken 2022, which includes a recording of their co-headline show from the holy fields. With their new release, FEUERSCHWANZ clearly confirm their outstanding position!
Tracklist Fegefeuer: 1. SGFRD Dragonslayer 2. Bastard von Asgard 3. Berzerkermode 4. Knochenkarussell 5. Fegefeuer 6. Die Horde 7. Uruk-Hai 8. Highlander 9. Morrigan 10. Eis & Feuer 11. Valkyren
Various limited versions come with the bonus CD, Live in Wacken 2022, recorded during the band’s co-headline set at Wacken Open Air 2022. Other versions include the instrumental version of all 11 album tracks:
Live in Wacken 2022 Tracklist: 1. Intro (Das Elfte Gebot) (Live in Wacken 2022) 2. Memento Mori (Live in Wacken 2022) 3. Untot im Drachenboot (Live in Wacken 2022) 4. Metfest (Live in Wacken 2022) 5. Ultima Nocte (Live in Wacken 2022) 6. Schubsetanz (Live in Wacken 2022) 7. Methämmer (Live in Wacken 2022) 8. Dragostea Din Tei (Live in Wacken 2022) 9. Rohirrim (Live in Wacken 2022) 10. Das Elfte Gebot (Live in Wacken 2022) 11. Warriors Of The World United (Live in Wacken 2022 / feat. Melissa Bonny) 12. Die Hörner Hoch (Live in Wacken 2022) 13. Extro (Live in Wacken 2022)
Experience FEUERSCHWANZ live:
Festivals 2023 22.07.23 DE – Bückeburg / MPS 10.08.23 ES – Villena / Leyendas Del Rock 19.08.23 DE – Weil Am Rhein / MPS 26.08.23 DE – Wuppertal / Feuertal Festival 02.09.23 DE – Luhmühlen / MPS 16.09.23 DE – Klaffenbach / Klaffenbach Open Air 17.09.23 IT – Trezzo Sull’Adda / Metalitalia.com Festival 15.12.23 DE – Dortmund / Dortmund PLWM 16.12.23 DE – Neumünster / Walhalla Festival
Fegefeuer Tour 2024 w/ Orden Ogan, Angus McSix 11.04.24 DE – Hamburg / Große Freiheit 36 12.04.24 DE – Berlin / Huxleys 13.04.24 DE – Dresden / Alter Schlachthof 18.04.24 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 19.04.24 DE – Erfurt / Club Central 20.04.24 DE – München / Backstage 26.04.24 DE – Hanover / Capitol 27.04.24 DE – Osnabrück / Hyde Park 01.05.24 DE – Nuremberg / Löwensaal 02.05.24 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn 03.05.24 DE – Wiesbaden / Schlachthof 04.05.24 DE – Cologne / Palladium 06.12.24 AT – Vienna / Arena
FEUERSCHWANZ are: Johanna – Violin, Hurdy Gurdy Hauptmann – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Irish Bouzouki Hodi – Vocals, Bagpipe, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin and many more Hans – E-Guitar, Acoustic guitar Jarne – Bass, Vocals Rollo – Drums Musch Musch – Dance & Performance Myu – Dance & Performance
On October 6th, metallic hardcore outfit CAPRA will unleash their sophomore full-length, Errors, via Metal Blade Records / Blacklight Media Records. Maintaining all the elements that made their 2021 debut so compelling – raucous energy, frantic riffs, the from-the-gut lyrics and soul-searing delivery of vocalist Crow Lotus – Capra has stepped things up on this record, with stronger songwriting and a determination to reach the next level. For a first preview of Errors, the video for the new single “Tied Up” (filmed by Dante Torrieri, Editing and Direction by Jai Benoit) can be viewed at: blacklightmediarecords.com/capra – where the album can also be pre-ordered in various versions.
Tracking in Estuary Recording Studios in Austin, Texas, with Andrew Hernandez, Errors was mixed by Taylor Young and mastered by Brad Boatright, the latter two having worked on In Transmission (2021). Guitarist Tyler Harper comments, “I knew that I wanted it to pick up where the first album left off, but that it needed to have an entirely new attitude. If you listen to the last song from ‘In Transmission’ into the first song on ‘Errors’, it’s a continuation. From there the album steers off into a direction that still feels similar, but is new.” Coming primarily from a hardcore background, giving listeners a sense of nostalgia for the sounds of the late 90’s and early 2000’s hardcore and punk scenes, but also incorporating elements of metal that complement the overall tone, everything the band does on Errors resonates with emotion; nothing is forced.
Album artwork by: Nat Lacuna
For collaborations, Capra recruited Walls Of Jericho vocalist Candace Kucsulain-Puopolo to add her inimitable tones to “Human Commodity,” while their friend Dustin Coffman from Glassing added backing vocals to a handful of tracks. Producer Hernandez also added some piano to “Nora,” which closes out the album in a very different manner than anything they’ve previously explored. In a complete juxtaposition to the tracks that precede it, “Nora” is atmospheric and lithe, delicate and haunting. “I’ve always wanted to show a prettier/lighter side to this band where it’s not always aggressive,” says Harper. “Life is a rollercoaster and sometimes you need to throw some pretty piano into it.” Since Capra‘s inception, Harper has always envisaged each album being a continuation of the last, and then breaking it off into its own journey, seeing “Nora” as “a fun way to start album three!“
Until then, the band will tour like the road warriors they have become, bringing Errors to North America and overseas (see below for all upcoming dates). Capra are eager to bond with fans new and old. Lotus explains that crucial connection: “Care about us because we care about you. And because we are a part of creating something our community can be proud of.”
Errors track-listing: 01. CHSF 02. Tied Up 03. Silana 04. Trauma Bond 05. Loser 06. Kingslayer 07. Human Commodity 08. Transplant 09. Obligatory Existence 10. Nora (Last Call)
Capra European tour dates July 28, 2023 – Montendre, France @ Salle Claude Augier July 29, 2023 – Albi, France @ Xtreme Fest Aug. 1, 2023 – Velenje, Slovenia @ Metaldays Aug. 2, 2023 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Estraperlo Aug. 3, 2023 – Santander, Spain @ Rock Beer The New Aug. 4, 2023 – Oviedo, Spain @ Sala Gong Aug. 5, 2023 – Vigo, Spain @ Pub Transylvania Aug. 6, 2023 – Madrid, Spain @ Sala Silikona Aug. 9, 2023 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage Aug. 10, 2023 – Jaromer, Czech Republic @ Brutal Assault Aug. 11, 2023 – Burglengenfeld, Germany @ VAZ Pfarrheim Aug. 12, 2023 – Oberhausen, Germany @ Helvete Aug. 16, 2023 – Dinkelsbühl, Germany @ Summer Breeze Aug. 17, 2023 – Vicenza, Italy @ Birrificio San Giorgio Aug. 18, 2023 – Francavilla Al Mare, Italy @ Frantic Fest Aug. 19, 2023 – Modena, Italy @ Pignoletto Fest Aug. 22, 2023 – Hannover, Germany @ Bei Chéz Heinz Aug. 23, 2023 – Hamburg, Germany @ Bambi Galore Aug. 24, 2023 – Osnabrück, Germany @ Bastard Club Aug. 25, 2023 – Neunkirchen, Germany @ Stummsche Reithalle Aug. 26, 2023 – Wörrstadt, Germany @ Neuborn Open Air
Capra USA tour dates w/ Zao, Your Spirit Dies Sept. 16, 2023 – Chattanooga, TN @ Dark Roast* Sept. 17, 2023 – Cincinnati, OH @ Legends* Sept. 19, 2023 – Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary Sept. 20, 2023 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Sept. 21, 2023 – Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar Sept. 24, 2023 – Greenville, SC @ Radio Room Sept. 28, 2023 – Pensacola, FL @ Easy Going Gallery* Sept. 29, 2023 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa* *=Capra only
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
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