Photo by Peter Papapetros – Artwork by Sevi Spanou/Dimons Creative Studios
MYSTFALL have released a video for “Silence”, fourth single taken from the debut album “Celestial Vision” released in July 2023 by Scarlet Records.
“Celestial Vision” has been released in the following formats: digipak CD+ digital
Video was created by Alexander Haritakis and Bob Katsionis.
‘Celestial Vision’ is the Mystfall introduction to the international metal scene, combining the traditional symphonic metal sound and atmospheres with an enthralling melodramatic approach.
All the songs features catchy melodies, captivating choirs and some very tasteful orchestral arrangements; the whole record is influenced from battle, cinematic, celtic and classic music too.
The superb and touching voice of frontwoman Marialena Trikoglou is the icing on the cake on a series of amazing compositions.
Lyrically wise, the “Celestial Vision” concept is quintessentially philosofical, looking for an answer to the perennial “meaning of life” quest.
QUIET BEFORE THE STORM – Finnish rockers GENTLE SAVAGE are back!
Talking media wise there’s been a deep silence in the GENTLE SAVAGE -camp during the past few years. But now it’s time to say: “It’s always quiet before the storm!”
There’s been changes in the line-up and the band’s songwriter vocalist Tornado Bearstone has been writing new material. The new members are well qualified to take their places and Gentle Savage sounds bigger than ever with the new master low frequences Larry W. and the melodic guitarist Ben Z. Tornado Bearstone plays the rhythm guitar and the wall of sound they create together make good for hearts of rockers and metalheads.
The new line-up is: Tornado Bearstone – vocals, rhythm guitar Jay B. – drums, backing vocals Ben Zummerbender – guitar, backing vocals Larry Welder – bass, backing vocals
This means that the actively gigging band is nowadays a tight Power Quartet. Keyboardist Theo van Boom stays with the band as an additional musician taking part in future recordings and possible festival gigs.
In the meantime, Gentle Savage have been playing shows in their homeland and are currently looking for opportunities to tour in Europe.
The band shares: “Hoping to see you soon at a venue close to you!”
More about Gentle Savage Finnish Rockers GENTLE SAVAGE were formed in 2013, and their characteristics stem from the ancient Karelian magic spells combined with the feel of European mega cities hum and spin. With a musical DNA twirling back to the earliest days of rock music, GENTLE SAVAGE roar with their heavy, yet dynamic style. Their message is clear; ‘Don’t you worry ’bout a thing. Just let our magic in and we’ll take care of the rest!’. Their debut album “Midnight Waylay” came out on June 17th, 2021 via Grey Beton Records. The album can be ordered at https://songwhip.com/gentlesavage/midnight-waylay.
On her new EP, Sylvaine traces back to her roots in Norwegian folk music. Eg Er Framand was recorded at the Kampen Church in Oslo, where she performed while studying music in high school.
When Sylvaine first heard the title track, it hit her like no other song had before. Since then, she’s shared this song with rapturous audiences everywhere. Today, she’s releasing a new recording of “Eg Er Framand” that finds her searching for a higher, lonely power.
Kathrine Shepard has grown into a guiding light for post-metal. As Sylvaine, her white-hot tremolo picking can ignite the coldest and blackest of hearts. She plays every instrument on Eg Er Framand, but the title track has no enchanting synths or eerie organ hums. Instead, the EP’s emotional centerpiece is solely powered by her otherworldly voice.
Kjaere Herre (Dear being of light) om eitt eg ber deg (With this I beg of you) Fylg og lei meg (Take my hand) fylg og le meg alltid du (Show me the way always you)
Sylvaine holds each note with soft restraint, as if cupped into the palm of her hand, like an offering. Close your eyes and envision her reaching through the trees, into the shadows, as her feet slowly lift off the ground.
“In the spring of 2023, when I had the idea to base this EP around Norwegian Folk music, I knew this song would be its center piece”, Kathrine says. “This song has taken a place deep within my soul. My first meeting with ‘Eg Er Framand’ truly shook me to my core. Immediately, I knew that I wanted to share this incredibly beautiful piece. I have performed ‘Eg Er Framand’ on stages all around the world. Very often, I’ve been met with the exact same intense, emotional response from the audience. I have no idea who wrote this song, but it speaks to the exact same feelings I’ve spent the last 10 years trying to capture with Sylvaine”.
The lead single off Eg Er Framand comes from similarly mysterious origins.
The lyrics to “Dagsens Augo Sloknar Ut” were written in 1891 by Elias Blix, a professor-turned-politician, who also wrote hymns. Staying true to the original’s delicate, reverent melody, Sylvaine sings in a breathy, elongated whisper that’s both haunting and soothing.
Watch as Kathrine dances across a magnificent tapestry of poetic landscapes in the song’s official video, which was directed and produced by William Lacalmontie.
Sylvaine is embarking on her first-ever solo tour this summer. She’ll be performing songs from Eg Er Framand on stages across Europe with her new Season of Mist labelmate Eivør.
“I’m so very excited to be heading out on my first-ever solo tour supporting none other than the wonderfully talented Eivør!”, Kathrine says. “I’m honored to be sharing the stage with her and her musicians, and can’t wait to showcase my music in a different format. It will be an intimate, emotionally heavy ride. October can’t come soon enough!”
Eivør 2024 European Tour October 2 – Hamburg, DE @ Markthalle October 3 – Utrecht, NL @ Tivolivredenburg October 4 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique October 5 – Cologne, DE @ Live Music Hall October 7 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom October 9 – Dublin, UK @ Opium October 10 – Glasgow, UK @ The Garage October 11 – Manchester, UK @ Club Academy October 12 – Bristol, ENG @ Thekla October 13 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon October 15 – Lyon, FR @ CCO October 16 – Lucerne, CH @ Schuur October 17 – Vienna, AT @ Szene October 18 – Budapest, HU @ Durer Kert October 19 – Warsaw, DE @ Progresja October 21 – Berlin, DE @ Metropol October 22 – Aarhus, DK @ Train October 23 – Copenhagen, DK @ Store Vega October 24 – Gothenburg, SE @ Pustervik October 25 – Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller October 26 – Stockholm, SE @ Kägelbanan
In preparation for their tour together, Eivør and Sylvaine put together a playlist of their favorite songs. Get in the mood with some of the choice cuts off Nova and the soundtracks to The Last Kingdom and God of War Ragnarök.
Track-list 1. Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut (4:36) [WATCH] 2. Arvestykker (4:36) 3. Eg Veit I Himmelrik Ei Borg (4:47) 4. Livets Dans (6:09) 5. Tussmørke (3:15) 6. Eg Er Framand (4:46) [WATCH] Total runtime: 28:12
Photo by Helena Aguilar Mayans
Kathrine Shepard, the visionary artist behind the evocative musical project SYLVAINE, weaves an intricate tapestry of emotions through the language of music. A transcendental bridge between worlds, a mesmerizing duality that encapsulates the beautiful and the harsh, light and darkness, serenity and chaos, and the delicate balance between the external world and the inner sanctum of the soul. It is a symphony that harmonizes the human experience with its spiritual origins – a resonance of something beyond the tangible.
Sylvaine’s compositions are a visceral journey through the vast spectrum of emotions that the complexities of the human experience have to offer. They encapsulate the inherent struggle of being an entity in this world, yet not entirely of it. Kathrine’s music serves as a conduit for her innermost feelings, a cathartic expression of the eternal longing that resides within the very core of her melodies.
Akin to a fairytale spun from the threads of Norwegian folklore, a narrative that resonates with the spirits of ancient woods and the whispers of long forgotten creatures. With every ethereal note and haunting melody, she conjures images of untamed forests, of misty clearings inhabited by mystical beings. In this artistry, there is an undeniable sense of transcendence, where listeners are transported beyond the confines of the ordinary into a dreamscape where reality and fantasy converge. A profound sense of wonder and allure creates a unique musical alchemy – with a touch of enchantment that lingers long after the music has ceased.
With four albums and one split-EP released to date, Sylvaine’s ethereal soundscapes have been taken to stages across Europe, North America and South America, leaving audiences mesmerized by the transcendent power of the band’s live performances. Two of these albums have been nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Awards Spellemannprisen in the category of metal. The ability to transport listeners to otherworldly realm through her music is a manifestation of the artistry & profound impact the band can bring.
As Sylvaine prepares to unveil her upcoming EP, Eg Er Framand, she embarks on a deeply introspective and serene journey through the rich tapestry of Norwegian heritage and tradition. Folk tales of old are brought to life in this new chapter of her musical odyssey, offering a glimpse into the depths of her creative spirit and an exploration of the roots that anchor her artistry. A reflection of myths is embraced through exquisite sonic realms.
Line-up Sylvaine – Vocals, Church Organ, Guitars, Synthesizers & Percussion
Recording Studio Kampen Kirke
Sound Engineer Sylvaine
Mixing Engineer Magnus Lindberg (Magnus Lindberg Productions/VRTKL Audio/Redmount Studio)Mastering Engineer Karl Daniel Lidén
Swedish modern metal frontrunners, MISTER MISERY, who are not only currently gearing up for the release of their much-awaited new album, coming this year on AFM Records, have just announced headlining tour dates to kick off in October 2024! Make sure to catch them live on “The Dark Legacy” Tour 2024, and find all dates listed below. Tickets are now on sale via: https://www.seaside-entertainment.com/mister-misery-2/
MISTER MISERY is an innovative, modern and ground-breaking metal band from Sweden. Blending clean and gritty vocals along with high-voltage riffs and anthemic choruses, they have developed a unique sound and style, and one that captures the essence of all the sub-genres in modern heavy music.
Since forming back in 2018, MISTER MISERY have released two critically acclaimed studio albums (Unalive and A Brighter Side Of Death) and several highly praised and top-playlisted singles to date. Paired with an obscene and theatrical appearance, they create an experience that speaks to all senses. MISTER MISERY has become a force that crushes stages on the biggest festival the scene has to offer, such as Wacken Open Air, Master of Rock, Full Metal Cruise, Hills Of Rock to name just a few. MISTER MISERY has played as support of some of the most prestigious bands in metal, such as Nightwish and Dream Theater in front of over 15.000 people. One thing is for certain: They will leave NO survivors!
Following previously-released, new tracks“Root Of All Evil”, “Boogeyman Boogie” and “Hand Of Death”, available on all digital streaming services, the band is about to start an exciting new chapter of their career, while they have joined forces with AFM Records, who will proudly release their forthcoming album in 2024!
MISTER MISERY is: Harley Vendetta – Vocals/Guitar Alex Nine – Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals Rizzy – Drums/Backup Vocals Alex Alister – Bass/Backup Vocals
Progressive blackened death/doom hexad SUMMONER’S CIRCLE has posted the video for “Irreverence of the Cross,” the first single from their upcoming new album, Cult.
The band comments on the concept behind the song, “‘Irreverence of the Cross’ is an indictment of the Catholic Church and the atrocities it has committed throughout its existence. From murder, torture, rape, pedophilia, extortion, genocide, and theft, it has been guilty of every sin it claims to oppose.”
Cult is a step away from the traditional cosmic horror themes of previous albums and stands as a reaction to the myriad vitriol the band has received from religious people over the past few years. It’s an indictment of religious groups and theocracies around the world and calls them all out for what they are – cults.
SUMMONER’S CIRCLE is a six-piece theatrical metal band that blends elements of black, death, doom, and progressive metal into their own flavor of, what they refer to as, Epic metal. For the band, every song in an incantation, every live performance is a Summoning, and everything they do is tied intrinsically to the mythology they have created and continue to evolve.
The band recently concluded their first European tour, with tremendous fan response, as a part of Batushka’s 2023 European Pilgrimage tour along with blackened death metal legends HATE and Brazil’s Paradise in Flames. Always looking to spread the word and grow their fan base, upon return to the US, they immediately hit the road again, concluding 2023 with more than 80 dates in 14 different countries.
Currently, The Summoners have wrapped up recording their third full-length album which will be released by Black Lion Records in May of 2024. The band is extremely excited to be working with Black Lion and intends to get back out on the road to support the new album as quickly as possible.
SUMMONER’S CIRCLE is: Blind – Lead Vocals Gog – Guitar Omnus – Guitar Y’takt – Bass and Vocals Nadir – Keys/Synth and Vocals Invictus – Drums
Defryme is proud to announce the release of their forthcoming EP, ‘Starkiller,’ featuring alternative versions of some of their most beloved tracks from their 1994 breakthrough album, ‘Purekiller.’
Performed by the original line-up from the ‘Purekiller’ era, the tracks on the ‘Starkiller’ EP better represent the band’s vibrant live energy during a monumental period in their career. Originally recorded and produced at Hothouse Audio in 1993 by Paul “Woody” Annison, in collaboration with Defryme, these tracks now undergo a transformative journey with additional recording and production expertly handled by Quinn Gardener-Kane at Studio F*ck Puppet in 2024.
Marking a significant milestone, ‘Starkiller’ is set to be released on March 4 via Golden Robot Records, exactly three decades after the ground-breaking release of ‘Purekiller,’ which soared to #4 on the Australian ARIA charts in June 1994, solidifying Defryme’s indelible mark on the music landscape.
Get ready to embark on a sonic journey that seamlessly bridges the past and present, as Defryme invites you to rediscover their timeless classics in a fresh, exhilarating light.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
