The wait is over. JD MILLER is finally ready to release its fourth studio album, titled “Empyrean”. After hitting the airwaves with singles such as “Inside the Night”, “Enemy” and “Out Of Control”, the stakes are high for the Swedish four-piece. But, then again, JD Miller has always been on top of their game – and it’s no different in “Empyrean”. In fact, quite the contrary.
With guitar player Tommy Timonen (ex-State Of Drama) back in the lineup and Jonny Trobro (Hydra, Find Me, ex-First Signal) as a permanent new bassist, the foursome from Borås spread their sound, to a heavier sound scope (just listening to the opening track “The Butterfly” and you’ll get a view of the heaviest JD Miller ever), but also more accessible, modern tracks such as “Out Of Control” or “Alive”.
“Empyrean” is a ride that totally justifies the ”Heaviest AOR around” proclamation done by Sweden Rock Magazine, with a twist. JD Miller is now a mature band, keeping however the fresh approach to composition and lyrics. “The songs and album focuses on a story about the complex minds of people considered to be at the wrong side of the law in the universe”, the band states. “The story is accompanied by the music we love in JD Miller, drawing influences from hard rock, metal, AOR and anything that’s get’s us going melodically”.
The album was mixed and mastered by Mikael Andersson at MRG Production/Studio Soundport, in Sweden, to give it the extra punchy sound that the melodies require, making “Empyrean” the dark horse of 2024, no matter what angle you look at it: hard rock, metal, AOR or whatever.
“Empyrean” will be released on CD and digital formats on May 10th, 2024 via Mighty Music. Pre-orders are available here.
A new single from the album, titled “One In A Million”, will be out on Friday next week, February 23rd. It can be pre-saved here.
“Empyrean” tracklist: 1. Prelude Of the Empyrean 2. The Butterfly 3. Inside the Night 4. Out of Control 5. I’ll Never Give Up 6. Awake (We Are the Machines) 7. One In a Million 8. Call the Police 9. Enemy 10. Alive
Confirmed live dates: 08.05 – Presswerk, Arbon, Switzerland (private show) 11.05 – Nordic Noise Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark 29.07 – Malmö Melodic festival, Malmö 21.09 – TBA, Switzerland
Lineup: Peter Halldén – lead vocals, backing vocals Emil Eriksson – guitar, keyboards, drums Tommy Timonen – guitar Jonny Trobro – bass guitar
Finnish metal band Koitos releases new single “Kaaostila” from their upcoming debut album. Musically, “Kaaostila” is more raw and heavier than its predecessor. For the more discerning, you can even hear hints of black metal.
“Humans are creative on building emotional voids around themselves and others, creating confusion, chaos, isolation and anxiety. In those voids and insecurity, in turn, lies its own breeding ground for false ideas and also the potential for the wider dissemination of violent and distorted ideology. And in humanity, unfortunately, there is always someone who can exploit and fill this vacuum. This song deals with this situation through the observations of an individual from the outside”, describes vocalist Matti Hiitti.
In addition to the songwriting and lyrics, the single was recorded and produced entirely by the band. The lyric video was made by bassist Aaro Pelttari based on the album cover artwork by Jussi Pohjanen. The song was mixed and mastered by Rami Nykänen, whose portfolio includes bands like One Morning Left and Balance Breach.
NOCTURNA have released a video for “Seven Sins”, first single taken from the new album “Of Sorcery And Darkness” to be released on April 19th through Scarlet Records.
After the success of the 2022 mesmerizing debut album “Daughters Of The Night” – which mixed gothic-symphonic and power metal elements, alternating between fast & heavy neck breaking episodes and intense, piano-oriented ballads – Nocturna once again delves into the meaning of the term ‘duality’ and all its more morbid connotations.
The romantic inspiration of the lyrics of “Of Sorcery And Darkness” combines harmoniously with the band’s sophisticated sonic approach, and the celestial voices of Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight paint mysterious and sensual portraits of an ancestral time (yet so close to us).
Embrace the night.
sophomore record for the band founded by the formidable frontwomen Grace Darkling and Rehn Stillnight
a breathtaking mix of symphonic power metal, modern-day gothic metal and haunting vocal duets
featuring the Frozen Crown/Volturian/Be The Wolf mastermind Federico Mondelli as songwriter, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist
artwork by Rehn Stillnight
recorded, mixed and mastered by Andrea Fusini at Fusix Studio (Frozen Crown, Volturian, Be The Wolf)
FFO: Nightwish, Powerwolf, Within Temptation, Winds, Unleash The Archers, Ghost, Epica
Ukrainian Progressive Extreme Metal ensemble WAIDELOTTE (ft. members of WHITE WARD and SOEN) unveil the first offering from their upcoming album, “Celestial Shrine,” titled ‘The Era Of Stagnant Gods.’ The track masterfully interweaves aggressive, high-energy sections with progressive and melodic touches. In its final act the song crescendos in a fusion of intense screams, eerie female vocals, truly captivating Folk influences and the powerful dynamics of Extreme Metal.
Discover ‘The Era Of Stagnant Gods‘ through the video presentation below or via Bandcamp:
Due for release March 29th, WAIDELOTTE‘s debut album “Celestial Shrine” will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats. The launch is accompanied by a specially designed t-shirt, with pre-orders available through our EU, US (no merch) and Bandcamp shops.
“Celestial Shrine” narrates a journey of catharsis (details here). It follows a fictional character undergoing rebirth, culminating ultimately in enlightenment. ‘The Era Of Stagnant Gods‘ explores a specific chapter of this odyssey, as described by the band’s composer and guitarist, Zlat:
“It is the starting point of our character’s ‘depression’ phase, the beginning of his fall. That’s why the music here is heavy and fast at the same time. Falling down is not something that can be extended in time. It’s something that happens rapidly and keeps you inside the whirlpool. Black/Death metal riffs attack with anger and fury to then be replaced with more melodic parts that contain ethnic elements and represent despair and apathy. This is how we interpret the feeling of “falling down”: you constantly switch between anger and apathy until the final crash enters the game. In the song, the final burst of anger is replaced by a coda with powerful ethnic singing. It’s like a mockery of those who have fallen: it’s not the end – get ready for worse things. As a part of the story, the song sheds light on a person who gives up, surrounded by nonentities who offer up faceless despicable prayers to the stagnant Gods and idols of our era.“
Vocalist Andrii adds:
“The lyrical hero is disappointed in himself and the world in which he lives. Stagnation is what surrounds him and annoys him. To some extent, we can talk here about the period political scientist Fukuyama called ‘the end of history.’ But in the context of the song, this is such an individual interpretation of this stage on a much smaller scale. In the song, as in the album, we explore nothing but the individual downfall and subsequent rise of the main character. Disappointment, fatigue, despair, fear, and many other factors are the baggage with which the lyrical hero goes on a journey to catharsis. But at this stage, he is not aware of the ultimate goal. So far, he has only one path – down to the bottom, where he expects to lose himself and get rid of those burdens that make life unbearable.“
WAIDELOTTE is a new Extreme Metal act from Ukraine which skilfully combines Black Metal, melodic Death Metal and Progressive Metal with traditional Folk singing and instrumentation. The project gathers individuals with diverse musical backgrounds, including members of SOEN, WHITE WARD, NAONI ORCHESTRA, Тінь Сонця, SOLAR KOLLAPSE, and CASA URAINA amongst others.
The band’s debut album will be released via Debemur Morti Productions in 2024.
After broadcasting three snippets of their latest album, Darkspace are now ready to unveil their new album. Darkspace -II is one big, continuously crushing, 47-minute journey into the blackest holes of the universe. It’s the mysterious trio’s fifth full-length and first album with newest member Yhs (bass, vocals).
Dark Space -II is out today Friday, February 16. Stream and watch the entire album over on Season of Mist’s YouTube channel. The full album stream is illustrated by a vast, bleak and crawling animation that was created by illustrator Michael Raaflaub & animator Simon Schnellmann.
On “Dark -2.-2”, Darkspace defy the conventional boundaries of black metal. Fractal electronic samples slice through layers of extraterrestrial drones. Glitchy murmurs – like whispers from the outer reaches – are swallowed deep inside the band’s vast, unknown aura.
Season of Mist reissued all of Darkspace’s catalogue on CD and vinyl this year. Listen from Dark Space -I to Dark Space III I and hear how their hypnotic and otherworldly sound has influenced modern black metal.
DARKSPACE was founded by Wroth, Zorgh and Zhaaral in 1999 in Berne (Switzerland). In two decades, four albums and an EP were released: Dark Space -I to Dark Space III I. The band rarely appeared live. In 2019, Zorgh quit while the band was awarded the Music Prize of the Canton of Berne for the creation of their soundscapes and their atmospheric performances. In 2022 Yhs joined Wroth and Zhaaral to complete the three again.
DRAGONFORCE has unveiled an official video for their excellent Taylor Swift cover, “Wildest Dreams (DragonForce’s Version)”, which is included as a bonus track on select editions of their anxiously anticipated upcoming album, Warp Speed Warriors, out on March 15, 2024 via Napalm Records! The Grammy-nominated unit has transformed the current reigning pop superstar’s huge hit into a lightning-fast power metal anthem, featuring incredible guitar solos and sky-high vocals. DRAGONFORCE’s version first caused a wave of buzz in the press and on social media after the band performed it live on their most recent North American tour.
Founded in 1999 by virtuoso guitarists Herman Li (also known for his Twitch channel with 270k followers) and Sam Totman, the new masterpiece Warp Speed Warriors sees DRAGONFORCE experimenting with different genres more than ever before, while staying true to their power metal roots. DRAGONFORCE will kick off their European co-headline tour with Amaranthe in Hamburg next week, with label mates INFECTED RAIN supporting as special guests – so make sure to grab your tickets now and get a taste of what’s to come from the explosive video below!
Herman Li on Warp Speed Warriors: “After four years of creative incubation, we are beyond excited to release what we believe to be our most ambitious and grandiose record yet. This album showcases multiple facets of our artistic abilities, and we invite metal aficionados from every corner of the genre to discover something captivating within its layers. We can’t wait to share this chapter of our musical journey with you, it’s going to be EPIC!”
Following the opening track “Astro Warrior Anthem”, the Zelda inspired track “Power of the Triforce” keeps the volume high before DRAGONFORCE temporarily slows it down for the ballad ”Kingdom of Steel”. Rapid drum patterns and thrilling guitars carry the catchy “Burning Heart”, while chanting “Space Marine Corp” features a strong and uplifting chorus. Electronic influences on grandiose power metal anthem “The Killer Queen” hypnotize, as singer Marc Hudson’s vocals reach for the skies. The last original track onWarp Speed Warriors, “Pixel Prison”, is followed by DRAGONFORCE’s unexpected yet brilliant cover of Taylor Swift’s “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s Version)” as a bonus track that wraps up the epic adventure as a bonus track on some formats.
Warp Speed Warriors was produced, mixed and mastered by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited in Los Angeles, California with Sam Totman and Herman Li. This album is a matchless, innovative listening experience that continues the band’s legacy with songs that will, without a shadow of a doubt, become instant classics in and beyond the DRAGONFORCE canon.
Pre-Order Your Copy of Warp Speed WarriorsNOW – First Formats Already Sold Out
Warp Speed Warriors Tracklist: 1 Astro Warrior Anthem 2 Power of the Triforce 3 Kingdom of Steel 4 Burning Heart 5 Space Marine Corp 6 Doomsday Party 7 Prelude to Darkness 8 The Killer Queen 9 Pixel Prison
DRAGONFORCE Live:
Europe Tour 2024 Co-headline w/ Amaranthe, + Infected Rain 21.02.24 DE – Hamburg / Große Freiheit 36 – SOLD OUT! 22.02.24 DE – Berlin / Huxleys Neue Welt 23.02.24 DE – Leipzig / Haus Auensee 24.02.24 DE – Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle – Low Tickets! 25.02.24 NL – Tilburg / 013 Poppodium – SOLD OUT! 27.02.24 DK –Copenhagen / Amager Bio – SOLD OUT! 28.02.24 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene – SOLD OUT! 29.02.24 SE – Gothenburg / Trädgår’n – SOLD OUT! 03.03.24 LV – Riga / Melna Piektdiena 04.03.24 PL – Warsaw / Progresja 06.03.24 CZ – Brno / Sono Centrum – SOLD OUT! 07.03.24 AT – Vienna / Gasometer 08.03.24 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra Red Stage 09.03.24 DE – Munich / TonHalle – Low Tickets! 10.03.24 IT – Milan / Live Club – Low Tickets! 12.03.24 ES – Madrid / Sala La Riviera 13.03.24 ES – Barcelona / Sala Apolo I 15.03.24 DE – Wiesbaden / Schlachthof – Low Tickets! 16.03.24 CH – Zurich / Komplex 457 17.03.24 BE – Brussels / AB Box 19.03.24 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn – Low Tickets 20.03.24 FR – Paris / Bataclan – Low Tickets! 22.03.24 UK – Bristol / O2 Academy – SOLD OUT! 23.03.24 UK – Manchester / Manchester Academy – SOLD OUT! 24.03.24 UK – London / The Roundhouse – Low Tickets!
Mutilation On A Spring Night US Tour 2024 w/ Dethklok, Nekrogoblikon, Babymetal* 07.04.24 US – North Myrtle Beach, SC / House Of Blues 08.04.24 US – Charlotte, NC / The Fillmore Charlotte 09.04.24 US – Silver Spring, MD / The Fillmore Silver Spring 11.04.24 US – Columbus, OH, Kemba Live! 12.04.24 US – Cincinnati, OH / The Andrew J Brady Music Center 14.04.24 US – Indianapolis, IN / Egyptian Room At Old National Centre 15.04.24 US – Waukee, IA / Vibrant Music Hall 16.04.24 US – Kansas City, MO / Uptown Theater 17.04.24 US – Oklahoma City, OK / Criterion 19.04.24 US – Albuquerque, NM / Revel 20.04.24 US – Flagstaff, AZ / Pepsi Amphitheater At Fort Tuthill Park 21.04.24 US – Riverside, CA / Riverside Municipal Auditorium 22.04.24 US – San Diego, CA / The Observatory North Park 24.04.24 US – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic* 25.04.24 US – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic* 28.04.24 US – Spokane, WA / The Podium 30.04.24 US – Billings, MT / Metrapark Arena 01.05.24 US – Idaho Falls, ID / Mountain America Center 02.05.24 US – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House 03.05.24 US – Portland, OR / Roseland Theater
Formed in 1999, DRAGONFORCE has captivated audiences worldwide with their highly successful records and iconic singles, including the platinum-selling hit “Through the Fire and Flames” – the ultimate challenge for gamers on the legendary “Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock”. Renowned for their epic compositions that expand the boundaries of heavy metal, on their highly anticipated new full-length, DRAGONFORCE explore a wider range of varying musical styles than ever before, evolving their sound throughout the exciting musical journey.
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
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
