MENTAL CRUELTY Offer Majestic New Video for ‘Midtvinter’ + ‘Obsessis a Daemonio’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 14, 2023
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MENTAL CRUELTY have released a majestic new visual offering for the opening tracks “Midtvinter” and “Obsessis a Daemonio” from their latest album, Zwielicht.

MENTAL CRUELTY comments on “Obsessis a Daemonio”: Obsessis a Daemonio is a song inspired by medieval age manuscripts describing exorcisms. Watch out to not get haunted yourself after watching the video. It’s a story of a spiritual battle between a priest and a demon of his past. An epic fight of the light vs. the dark – who will triumph in the end? Decide by yourself! Get ready for a bombastic performance in an original antique monastery library setting!

Zwielicht, the fourth full-length album from MENTAL CRUELTY, is now available via Century Media Records.

Dive into a dark and intense world where Hell’s power reigns supreme. Stream “Obsessis a Daemonio” and Zwielicht now HERE; the new and epic music video (produced by Aurora Motion Pictures) can be watched below.

Order Zwielicht here: https://mentalcruelty.lnk.to/Zwielicht
 
MENTAL CRUELTY comments on the album release: “Let us embrace a new era of darkness by bringing the “black” into blackened heavy music. Join us on the way down to infernal gates of hell to be rebirthed back to life. The album contains the most mind-bending variety of different heavy musical influences and sounds. Epic symphonic orchestras accompanied by slam breakdowns; this will have it all. Inspired from metaphors written by nature, death, and inner demons.
 
We can´t put into words the level of excitement we feel by releasing this album to you. We hope you feel the same way! Thank you for being with us and stay tuned for even more news!”

Zwielicht Tracklist:

  1. Midtvinter
  2. Obsessis a Daemonio
  3. Forgotten Kings
  4. Pest
  5. Nordlys
  6. Mortal Shells
  7. Zwielicht
  8. Symphony of a Dying Star
  9. The Arrogance of Agony
  10. A Tale of Salt and Light

Order Zwielicht now at: https://mentalcruelty.lnk.to/Zwielicht

Across four releases, beginning with 2016’s Pereat Mundus EP, MENTAL CRUELTY has woven together a violent tapestry of black metal, death metal, deathcore, and a madness of their very own. With 2021’s landmark LP, A Hill To Die Upon (Unique Leader), the German quintet not only set a new standard for themselves, but also the genre as a whole.
 
Rising from the ashes of personal and professional chaos, MENTAL CRUELTY spent the first half of 2021 seeking out a voice to continue to cement them as an uncompromising force in the German metal scene. After locking in Lukas, the band (rounded out by guitarists Nahuel Lozano and Marvin Kessler, bassist Viktor Dick and drummer Danny Straßer) reemerged bloodied but unbowed, ready to continue on their path to becoming an international force.

Armed with new vocalist Lukas Nicolai, MENTAL CRUELTY usher in a new epoch of unlight and grim determination that’s at the heart of their upcoming album, Zwielicht (translated in English as “Twilight”). Once again working with producer and mixer Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Ov Sulfur, Signs of the Swarm The Browning), they’ve pushed their sound to new blacker intensities forged in emotional riffing, heavy “back to the roots” breakdowns, and epic orchestral arrangements that surpass the already elite standards that have become synonymous with their name.
 
Zwielicht has come. MENTAL CRUELTY’s reign of darkness has begun!

Watch the previously released videos below:

“Zwielicht/Symphony of a Dying Star”: https://youtu.be/rpxyHRIk5vM
“Forgotten Kings”: https://youtu.be/WXJwYl6L73w
“Nordlys”: https://youtu.be/nkt6e3bEDqc

Catch MENTAL CRUELTY on their first shows this year:

25.-29.07.23 Tolminator Metal Fest
04.08.23 Köln – Live Music Hall**
05.08.23 Triple 6 Festival
19.08.23 Karlsruhe – Substage*
07.10.23 Aarau – Kiff

**w/ Heaven Shall Burn, Any Given Day and The Acacia Strain
*w/ Heaven Shall Burn and Any Given Day

MENTAL CRUELTY line-up:
Lukas Nicolai – Vocals
Nahuel Lozano – Guitars
Marvin Kessler – Guitars
Viktor Dick – Bass
Danny Straßer – Drums

MENTAL CRUELTY online:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mental_cruelty/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2iE1NqruxoSxTvOpTCLkE9
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mentalcrueltyofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentalcrueltyofficial

Pirate Metallers CALICO JACK Unleash New Video ‘Marauder’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 14, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Chiara Mascetti

Pirate metallers Calico Jack recently unleashed their treasure chest of riches with the sophomore album “Isla de la Muerte” on June 30th via Rockshots Records. For this full-length, the band kept the style of their debut album but improved every aspect of their music. “Isla de la Muerte” is much more aggressive, the songs are heavier, more dynamic, and more powerful than past ones. The fiddle tunes on the release are more epic and refined, and there’s no shortage of some of Calico Jack‘s trademarks such as the Caribbean sounds in ‘Antigua’. The band also added important elements such as a track of pure classic heavy metal Running Wild-style (‘Bad Fortune’) and a journey through the eastern sounds of the Indian Ocean in the final suite ‘Sandokan’.

Today, the band presents one of its gems, “Marauder” with a new music video. The track is an ode to the life of the looter, who thrives only by plundering the property of others.

“To be a pirate is not just to live free and have fun in a tavern, but one must be prepared to commit the most abject crimes to survive, and if that meant amassing wealth and power, many marauders of the sea were just fine with that. ‘Marauder’ is a song written to be engaging and fun, with simple, groovy guitar riffs and Korpiklaani-esque violin melodies designed to unleash nonstop pogoing and headbanging. The lyrics, by contrast, tell of the heinous and cruel deeds of a sea marauder who has no mercy for anyone who stands before him and aims to plunder as much wealth as possible without qualms or remorse for his deeds. The accompanying video is an actual comic book adventure drawn by cartoonist Nico Tamburo, famous for publishing various works with a pirate setting. In the video, a pirate crew made up of the band members storm a Caribbean port and defeat naval officers after a savage swordfight, toasting the mountain of gold accumulated at the end of the song.” adds the band.

Named after the nickname for Captain John Rackham, the English pirate captain who operated in the Bahamas and in Cuba during the early 18th century, Calico Jack was founded in 2011 by the brothers Toto (rhythm guitar) and Caps (drums) with the aim of merging legendary 80s heavy metal with modern Scandinavian folk metal, wrapping everything in a maritime atmosphere, inspired by folk songs and sea shanties of the Anglo-Saxon tradition. They make sure they present a flashback to those times with stage scenery and costumes.

“If you play pirate metal, you can’t help but fill the stage with bandanas, chests, skulls, cutlasses, and pistols. We are arranging to bring real parrots and cannonballs on stage, but we are meeting some resistance from animal welfare and pacifist associations… Aesthetics aside, our live shows are notorious for creating absolute chaos above and below the stage, so it is not advisable to attend one of our concerts if you are looking for meditative and intellectual listening. We also hold the record of never having played sober since the beginning of our career, and we offer unlimited drinks to any fan who asks!” adds the band.

Cover art by Sergey Vasnev

Recommended for fans of Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Equilibrium, Moonsorrow, and Running Wild, “Isla de la Muerte” is available at https://bit.ly/IslaDeLaMuerteCD​

Spotify – https://sptfy.com/O9Rg​
Music Video – “Broadside Attack” – https://youtu.be/fbkuvnJ_cuk​
Music Video – “Queen Anne’s Revenge” – https://youtu.be/nJupjSnaz6k

Track Listing:​
1 – Broadside Attack (07:24)
2 – Isla de la Muerte (10:32)
3 – Bad Fortune (05:02)
4 – Antigua (06:25)
5 – Three Cheers to the Shanty Man (04:30)
6 – Marauder (04:37)
7 – Queen Anne’s Revenge (06:08)
8 – Haul Away Joe (03:31)
9 – Sandokan (15:47)

Album Credits:​
Recorded at Elnor Studio by Mattia Stancioiu
Mixed and mastered by Calico Jack
All songs written by Calico Jack
Photos by Chiara Mascetti
Cover art by Sergey Vasnev

For more info: Rockshots.eu | Calicojack.net | Facebook.com/CalicoJackOfficial | 
Instagram.com/calico.jack.official

MY LAMENT Sign to Ardua Music, New Album “The Season Came Undone” Out on September 22nd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 14, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Belgian death-doom metallers MY LAMENT have signed to Ardua Music for the release of their first full-length in over a decade. “The Season Came Undone” is due out September 22nd 2023.

After two successful releases, “Broken Leaf” (2009, Solitude Productions) and “Sorrow” (2015), the band have honed their underground roots into a more accessible sound with an emphasis on concise songwriting and memorable melodies.

The upcoming new album “The Season Came Undone” (nine tracks, 51 minutes) reflects the band’s ambition to reach a wider audience without giving up their doom/death heritage. With unique vocal harmonies, soaring leads, a pounding rhythm section and thoughtful lyrics, MY LAMENT has matured into a forward-thinking foursome that doesn’t sound quite like any other band.

Watch for more details on the new album release and more news on other upcoming MY LAMENT activities to be posted shortly.

More info on THE LAMENT

MY LAMENT is a doom/death metal band from Antwerp, Belgium. Since its genesis in 2002, the core line-up has remained the same: founding members Steph (bass) and Vincent (drums), soon joined by Paul on guitar. Additional guitars, synths and vocals were supplied by various members throughout the years, with a debut demo titled “Beneath the Hidden” coming out in 2006. Full-length album “Broken Leaf” was released to critical acclaim in 2009 on the Russian doom metal label Solitude Productions.

Always looking beyond the confines of metal, MY LAMENT was chosen to be part of “Heaven and Hell” (2010), an ambitious contemporary music production inspired by the poetry of William Blake, alongside classically trained musicians, singers, composers and scenographers. Some of these concerts saw Robrecht filling in on guitar, who eventually joined as a permanent member.

MY LAMENT hired vocalist Xavier to incorporate melodic singing as well as death metal grunts on “Sorrow” (2015). However, for the following tour in Germany and the Czech Republic, they decided to continue as a four-piece band, with Robrecht combining vocals and guitar.

Invigorated by new influences and a stable line-up, the band has since honed their underground roots into a more accessible sound with an emphasis on concise songwriting and memorable melodies. This new direction became evident in the single “Life Will Be the Death of Me”, released with a self-produced 360-degree video in 2018.

Discography:

“Beneath the Hidden” (2006 – demo)
“Broken Leaf” (2009 – Solitude Productions – full length)
“Sorrow” (2015 – EP)
“The Season Came Undone” (to be released 2023 – Ardua Music – full length)

Line-up:

Steph – bass
Vincent – drums
Paul – guitars
Robrecht – vocals & guitars

MY LAMENT online

Polish Cairo-Based Guitarist/Songwriter ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ Releases New Album “Never Ending Storms”, Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 14, 2023
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ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ – the former recording artist for Down Boys Records, which belonged to Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon from the legendary American band Warrant – has announced the worldwide release of his latest album, “Never Ending Storms”, under the moniker of CITOVITZ AND THE FIREFLIES OF FEBRUARY, today, on July 14th 2023. The album features 17 unique tracks that showcase Citowicz’s signature guitar sound, blending hard rock with touches of 80s nostalgia and cinematic landscapes.

With “Never Ending Storms”, Citowicz wanted to create an album that tells a story and takes listeners on a journey through his life experiences and emotions. “My music is like a diary of my life,” says Citowicz. “I wanted to express my deepest emotions through the guitar and create something that people can connect with on a personal level.”

The album’s title, “Never Ending Storms”, reflects Citowicz’s belief that life is a journey filled with challenges and obstacles. “Life can be tough, but it’s important to keep pushing forward,” says Citowicz. “The storms may never end, but we can learn to navigate them and find beauty in the chaos.”

Citowicz’s unique blend of hard rock and cinematic soundscapes is inspired by his love of both genres. “I’ve always been drawn to the power and emotion of rock music, but I also love the cinematic quality of soundtracks,” says Citowicz. “With ‘Never Ending Storms’, I wanted to combine those two worlds and create something truly unique.”

The album features the incredible drum work of Citowicz himself, as well as his signature guitar sound, keys, and FX, with Patryk Szymanski on bass.

“Never Ending Storms” was mixed and engineered by Citowicz himself.

Here’s the full credits for “Never Ending Storms”:

Music / Guitars / Drums: Andrzej Citowicz
Keys & FX: Andrzej Citowicz
Bass: Patryk Szymański
Mixed & Engineered by Andrzej Citowicz

Left Patryk Szymański – Right Andrzej Citowicz

“Never Ending Storms” is available on all major streaming platforms as from today July 14th, and Citowicz is excited to share his music with the world. “I hope that people will connect with the emotions and stories in my music,” says Citowicz. “I want to inspire people to keep pushing forward and find beauty in the storms of life.”

Here’s the tracklist for “Never Ending Storms”:

No Safety Net
A Wound That’s Always Bleeding
Innocent No More
The Long Train Journey
Savagely Hungry For Love
I’d Die For Her, She Lives For Me
Faith In The Chaos
Eye Of The Storm
Midnight Thunderstorm pt1
Midnight Thunderstorm pt2
Never Ending Storms
Forgotten Days Of Radio
Electric Heartbeat Symphony
Marvelous Misadventures Of Myself
Next Stop Destiny
Dancing On A Daydream
Song For My Father

“Never Ending Storms” is a powerful and emotive album that showcases Citowicz’s unique voice as a guitarist, drummer, and composer. With its blend of hard rock and cinematic soundscapes, the album is a must-listen for fans of both genres. Don’t miss out on this incredible album, available worldwide on all major streaming platforms from July 14th.

Subscribe to Andrzej Citowicz’s YouTube channel and follow him on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest news at https://www.youtube.com/@AndrzejCitowicz

Check out the previous singles from the album
‘Savagely Hungry For Love’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEgRrcmgLDY
‘Electric Heartbeat Symphony’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6IWdx0vOQQ
‘Marvelous Misadventures Of Myself’ – https://youtu.be/jsgLvfF5Wd8
‘The Long Train Journey’ – https://youtu.be/zbEgbMBGbGw
‘Never Ending Storms’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip04u1xuf4s

More info about Citowicz music work you can find on his social media.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/citovitz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citovitz/

℗© 2023 Citovitz and The Fireflies of February / Andrzej Citowicz

Exclusive Premiere for Finland: TIMECHILD ‘Call Of The Petrichor’ Lyric Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 14, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo by Jakob Harris

“Call Of the Petrichor” is the third single from TIMECHILD’s upcoming sophomore album ‘’Blossom & Plague’’. “The song is about seeking a more natural and primal existence”, the band comments. “But slowly realizing that the faint echoes of a lost past might also bring back suffering you thought was long gone”.
 
“Call of the Petrichor” was, like the entire album, recorded and produced by Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes, Phil Campbell, Thundermother) and will make its live debut at the Jailbreak Festival 2023 in August, where Timechild will share the stage with bands such as Glenn Hughes, Wolfmother, Within Temptation, D-A-D, Arch Enemy and Saxon.

TIMECHILD have teamed up with Metal Shock Finland to premiere ‘Call Of The Petrichor’ lyric video for Finland, enjoy it below.

Timechild is a Danish progressive, heavy rock band formed in 2020 in Copenhagen. Their sound consists of a mixture of progressive rock and heavy metal, dominated by a powerful lead vocal and characteristic twin guitars, which together create their unique Scandinavian expression.

Since Timechild released their debut album “And Yet It Moves” at the end of 2021, things have moved fast for the new Danish band. Top reviews from both Danish and international media, Danish tours with Jesper Binzer (D-A-D), Thundermother and Artillery, concerts at some of the biggest club venues and rock and metal festivals in Denmark. And in 2023, the band will cross the country’s borders for the first time to go on their first EU and UK tours.

Now the band is back with their long-awaited second album “Blossom & Plague”, which will be released worldwide on September 1st, 2023 through Mighty Music. The vision with this record is to show how heavy rock can continue to challenge and surprise in 2023. The band’s heavy and dynamic sound and lyrics has taken a turn in a more progressive and dark direction on this record. Although the foundations of the band’s sound are clearly laid by the giants of the past, inspiration is drawn both across time and across genres. Precisely this opportunity to delve into the past several decades of music history and through this define their own sound has been an important part of the songwriting and recording process.

The artwork was developed by Travis Smith (Opeth, Megadeth, Katatonia, Avenged Sevenfold), who helped Timechild reach the perfect visual representation of the record.

The album is once again produced, mixed and mastered by Soren Andersen. With his vast experience within the genre, both as a producer and musician, Soren was a natural choice when the band’s new visions had to be brought to life. The result is eight strong and unique tracks, which broadly show the band’s dynamic range and artistic visions.

“Skillfully taps into the essence of hard rock’s greatest architects” Dom Lawson, Blabbermouth 

“Blossom & Plague” will be released on LP (180gr black vinyl, limited to 300), digipack CD and digital formats via Mighty Music on September 1st, 2023.

Lineup:
Anders Folden Brink – lead vocal, rhythm/lead guitar
Birk – lead/rhythm guitar, backing vocals
Martin Haumann – drums
Daniel Bach – bass, backing vocals

Digital single: https://timechild.lnk.to/call

Webshop: https://bit.ly/timec-shop

More info at

EVILE Release Music Video for Haunting Third Single ‘When Mortal Coils Shed’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 13, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo by Steve Dutton]

Tomorrow, July 14, 2023, English thrash metal frontrunners EVILE will celebrate the release of their brand new, sixth studio album and second Napalm Records release, The Unknown!

With The Unknown, the four-piece proves that they are more than just a thrash band, churning out slower tempos with a heavier approach. In addition, melodic vocals meet serious, in-depth lyrical topics – ranging from depression, overcoming loss and recurring nightmares, self-esteem and image, to more personal themes like living with dementia, struggling through the music industry and even the concerns of becoming a new parent.

Their new single, “When Mortal Coils Shed”, doubles down on that stirring new side of EVILE while showcasing exceptional songwriting with haunting, deep and personal aspects.

EVILE frontman OL Drake says:
“The third single from ‘The Unknown’ is ‘When Mortal Coils Shed’. We haven’t done a ballad since ‘Tomb’ on the 2013 album ‘Skull’, and I only like to do them when it feels right; and this one felt very right. The song grew from the main clean riff and I felt the need to make something out of it. Once the lyrics needed writing, it became apparent that a subject close to me and the band would fit. This song is for everyone who has lost someone close to them and the struggles that come with the acceptance of losing them. Even years after they’ve left us, they’re still missed, and the longing to be back at a time when they were still with us or for them to be back with us now is prevalent in our everyday lives. Enjoy.”

Since their formation in 2002, British thrash masters EVILE have been turning heads and taking names, delivering pure thrash offerings blended with an uncompromising metal assault. Not only have the band played a notable role in the thrash metal resurgence movement of the mid-to-late 2000s, but as Kerrang! praised, they have “carried the genre’s whole ‘revival’ on their shoulders.”

The Unknown sees EVILE more profound, personal and deep, while also proving heavier, stronger and more raucous than ever. Tracks such as previously-released singles “The Unknown” showcase the band’s haunting elements, balancing a dark, melodic and almost mesmerizing vibe with colossal, heavy riffage and thundering drums. Yet EVILE still stays true to their explosive trademarks and roots, and they leave nothing but a hammering new world of sound, building up to a stomping thrash manifesto. The Unknown unchains the rampant songwriting talent of these British thrash metal frontrunners, proving that thrash does not always have to be fast-paced. It can also be in-your-face with outstanding musical skill, without fear of showing a still unknown facet of lyrical depth and an enthralling, versatile, brave modern metal sound!

“We’ve taken a completely different approach on this album and I looked inward for inspiration; I’ve opened myself up like I never thought I would,“ OL Drake reveals. “We’ve always been at 500mph, like on the previous album (Hell Unleashed) and this time around we felt we wanted to try the polar opposite – some slower-than-we’ve-ever-done tempos with more melodic vocal hooks, and give Adam some freedom on the leads/writing. I’ve been working on my vocals since diving in the deep end in 2021, and we’ve worked hard for 2 years on this, so I’m excited for everyone to hear the fruits of our labour. We’re really proud of what we’ve all accomplished with this album.“

The Unknown was recorded by Tim Vincent at Longwave Studios in Cardiff, UK, and was produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Clancy at the same Longwave Studios. Out tomorrow on Napalm Records, make sure to purchase your copy of this must-have metal jewel HERE!

The Unknown track listing:

  1. The Unknown
  2. The Mask We Wear
  3. Monolith
  4. When Mortal Coils Shed
  5. Sleepless Eyes
  6. Out of Sight
  7. At Mirror’s Speech
  8. Reap What You Sow
  9. Beginning of the End
  10. Balance of Time

EVILE UK Live:
13.10.23 – The Arch, Brighton
14.10.23 – Arts Centre, Colchester
03.11.23 – The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
10.11.23 – The Bread Shed, Manchester
11.11.23 – Devils Dog, Birmingham
17.11.23 – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh
18.11.23 – Corporation, Sheffield
01.12.23 – The Hairy Dog, Derby
02.12.23 – The Bunkhouse, Swansea
08.12.23- Suburbia, Southampton
09.12.23 – New Cross Inn, London
with many more shows to be announced soon!

EVILE is:
OL Drake – Vocals & Lead Guitar
Ben Carter – Drums
Joel Graham – Bass
Adam Smith – Rhythm Guitar

For More Info Visit:
https://evilecult.com
https://twitter.com/evile
https://www.facebook.com/evileuk
https://www.instagram.com/evileofficial
https://label.napalmrecords.com/evile