Finnish dark metal band KUOLEMAN GALLERIA has released their fourth full length album “Pedon synty”. As this beast borns the first cry echoes on the video of the opening track of the album.
The band’s singer Kimmo Jankkari tells: “Pedon synty (The Birth Of The Beast) carries the listener towards the altar of inner chaos and starts a chain of events that leads you into the core of darkness and back. The song is a melodic but heavy piece that goes forward determinedly and gives you a ride to your darkest innerself. It’s time for the beast to be born.”
Kuoleman Galleria celebrates the album release by playing “Deep Waters & Dark Skies Tour” in Finland with legendary Finnish dark metal band Mustan Kuun Lapset and Swedish Wormwood.
March 30. Lutakko, Jyväskylä March 31. Olympia, Tampere April 1. On the Rocks, Helsinki
Jackson Colt is the essence of 80’s Rock reimagined. Catchy chorus hooks, melodic riffs and shredding solos echo through from the Golden Era of the Guitar. Raised on Old School Rock, Jackson combines a retro-retake with a modern fresh sound that booms through the ages for all target markets.
Vocalist & Guitarist Jackson Colt shares that “The story of ‘Strangers’ revolves around the idea of the ‘Twin Flames’, two souls who are destined to be together and spend their lives searching for each other without knowing. A story of two broken people who find love. The lady is represented by a Fallen Angel who lost her way through being hurt by previous lovers. She loses her trust and happiness and starts to become darker. The gentleman in the story is represented by a Ghost who once was a believer in love but has faded now into lonely spectre through the trauma caused by his previous lovers. The two ultimately find each other in the night. The night represents the darkness that they are both lost in. Their ‘Twin Flames’ being the guiding light within themselves that leads them to each other.
The music is a combination between a strong rhythmic verse and melodic pre-chorus and chorus. Producer Dale Schnettler (Prime Circle) and I wanted to create something with huge 80’s harmonies and melodic undertones to highlight the Stadium Rock element that the song is based on. The 80’s inspired Rock sound really lends itself to what Jackson Colt’s sound is.”
Jackson Colt Bio
Jackson Colt is the essence of 80’s Rock reimagined. Catchy chorus hooks, melodic riffs and shredding solos echo through from the Golden Era of the Guitar. Raised on “Old School Rock”, Jackson combines a retro-retake with a modern fresh sound that booms through the ages for all target markets. After receiving his first guitar at the age of 9 in a second-hand store, Jackson starting learning to play songs by bands such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, Grand Funk Railroad and more. Jackson cites his family as his biggest influence on his Classic Rock influenced sound. Growing up with bands like Deep Purple, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Guns n’ Roses playing in the house, it was easy to see what music he would write.
Jackson’s love for the guitar started when discovering Eddie Van Halen. Other inspirations for the guitar span from players such as David Gilmour and Slash to 80’s shredders like George Lynch and Yngie Malmsteen. Jackson also has a passion for Metal music. Alexi Laiho has been another big influence of his playing as well as Jeff Loomis.
For live shows, bassist Dean, drummer Matthew and rhythm guitarist Piet bring a high energy performance in reminiscence of those 80’s Arena Rock bands. Each member brings their own personality to the stage, all coming from different musical backgrounds. Grinding on the underground circuit, the band learned to hone their craft. The band has also enjoyed playing the Soweto Towers on Halloween, multiple Speedo-Fests and frequent gigs with friends Black Cat Bones and Jasper Dan.
After gigging relentlessly through the harsh lockdown and sharing the stage with several big names in South African Rock, Jackson Colt is currently recording his debut album with Dale Schnettler of Prime Circle. Jackson cites Dale as a big inspiration to his music career. The first concert Jackson ever attended was a Prime Circle show when he was young. There he met Dale who signed some drumsticks for Jackson and his brother. Many years later, they would meet again and work on the debut album together.
Jackson has achieved great success within the Mix FM SA Top 40, with Echoes reaching Number 1 for two consecutive weeks and number 2 for 3 weeks. Handpicked by Darren Scott, Jackson Colt was chosen to play at Darren’s Farewell Party and reached number 2 for the end of the year Top 40 of 2022.
Currently, Jackson is working on a full-length debut album to be released in 2023. The 14-track album combines the Classic Rock sound with some modern influences.
Jackson Colt (Vocals & Guitar) Dean Gerber (Bass & Backing Vocals) Matthew Safi (Drums) Piet Snyman (Guitar & Backing Vocals)
Hailing from Castle Rock, Colorado, melodic metal band HÄMÄRÄ is excited to announce their signing with Wormholedeath Records for the re-release of their critically acclaimed album, “Ivory Tower”. The album is set to be released on April 21, 2023, and will be available on all major digital platforms.
Formed in 2006, Hämärä’s sound is deeply rooted in Scandinavian melodic metal and American metal. After recording their first album in 2007 (unofficially released), the band continued to play live shows and build momentum until their hiatus in 2015. In 2020, the band came back together with a renewed focus on creating a professional sound and released their newest album, “Ivory Tower”, in April of 2022. The response to the album has been overwhelmingly positive, and it marks their first official release at a professional level.
The band, speaking of ‘Ivory Tower’ stated:
Ivory Tower marks our first official release that we have done at a professional level. When we returned as a band from our 7-year hiatus, we were focused on compiling the best songs we had over the years that we had yet to record and took them into our pre-production process to re-write and tweak the songs to meet the level of musicianship we are at today. Josh spent years honing in the ability to record ourselves, and due to that flexibility, we were able to put out our best music to date. When writing the album we wanted the album to be diverse both sonically and lyrically, while pulling together songs that blend together many of our big inspirations over the years (Children of Bodom, Kalmah, Soilwork, As I Lay Dying, Five Finger Death Punch, Dream Theater, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Amorphis, Dimmu Borgir). We really pushed the boundaries of our current songwriting and brought in many new symphonic elements to enhance our sound.
In response to the recent signing, the band said:“We are pleased to announce the signing with WormHoleDeath Records for the album “Ivory Tower”. This marks the next milestone in the band’s journey as we are excited for the future of the band and the partnership with WormHoleDeath Records.”
1. Across the Hills of Emyn Muil 2. Holy War 3. Hardly Awake 4. Isolation 5. Under the Sun 6. Retribution 7. Withering Away 8. The Fallen 9. Ivory Tower
The band’s current lineup features Josh Ruff on lead vocals, bass, and programming, Aaron Schug on vocals and guitar, Tony Molieri on keys and orchestral arrangements, and Alexander Bosson (hired for the album) on drums.
With the release date of “Flora Eallin”, the upcoming album from Experimental Duo LEAGUS set for the 28 April, Is it Jazz? Records have today released a new single from the album.
Tendril is a curly stem that some plants produce for support and climbing. The song is the fourth track of the “Flora Eallin” album, and introduces two vocalists. The lyrics concern collective and individual responsibility, and different aspects of the climate crises we have been facing for generations. Lyrics are by Frode Larsen.
When pianist Herborg Rundberg first formed LEAGUS in 2013 it was simply part of her Masters degree in Rhythmic Music at the Tromsø Conservatory. However when she was joined by guitarist Kristian Svalestad Olstad, who had himself received his Masters degree in the same subject two years earlier, LEAGUS became a fully fledged contemporary and experimental music duo.
Herborg’s Sami background, and her work with traditional and classical music, along with Kristian´s extended use of guitar and electronics, forms the basis of LEAGUS’ sound, which has, over time, developed into an exploratory and complex sonic universe. As for the name LEAGUS, the word itself originates in the area in which Herborg herself was born and is Sami slang for asking for something.
Having worked extensively on finding new, and different, interactions between the piano and the guitar, LEAGUS were able to develop a new and progressive kind of musical togetherness, creating a highly dynamic sound in which musical contrasts play a big part in the overall concept.
Alternating between formal composed parts, open structures and free improvisation that at times feel like subdued, minimalistic psalm-like pieces, whilst at other times features more rock-oriented improvised parts, LEAGUS released two albums, and were then approached by the NORTH NORWEGIAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE, who, in 2021 commissioned them to write a piece for the ten piece orchestra.
This resulted in Herborg and Kristian composing and arranging the piece “Flora Eallin”, which will be released in full on Is it Jazz? Records in CD, Digital and Double LP formats.
Featuring the NORTH NORWEGIAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE and with cover art and design by Martin Losvik, track listing for “Flora Eallin”, is as follows:
On stage the duo are known for their energetic and visual concerts, and will be celebrating the release of “Flora Eallin” live at the Jazzahead Clubnight at the Achat Hotel in Bremen, Germany on the 28th April.
A video of LEAGUS performing the track “Hyperion” directed by Norwegian photographer and artist Martin Losvik, and featuring the NORTH NORWEGIAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE, can be seen below.
Losvik is well known for his distinctive style that can contain elements of humour, surrealism and darkness. The video is the result of Martin being given free hands to do his visual interpretation of this musical project.
Portuguese melodic metal band ENCHANTYA is set to release their third studio album Cerberus on April 28th 2023 via Inverse Records. The third single Collective Souls is released today along with music video which is available below.
Rute Fevereiro (singer) comments:
“The song Collective Souls is very special to me because it portrays the collective consciousness that starts from the individual to the collective but that makes us question our existence. The cliché thought that we are all drops in an ocean perfectly represents this song. While it may seem like we don’t make a difference, we are that difference especially when we learn to love and accept ourselves the way we are.”
All songs composed by Enchantya Lyrics by Rute Fevereiro, except for Karma, Prana and Anima written by Pedro Antunes Cover Artwork by Mara D’Eleán and Phobos Anomaly Design
CERBERUS was produced by Enchantya and Fernando Matias and mixed and mastered by Fernando Matias at The Pentagon Audio Manufacturers.
Enchantya was born in 2004 when vocalist Rute Fevereiro took a break from her classic band Black Widows and started exploring music for a new project. In 2005, the band recorded their first EP, Moonlighting the Dreamer, out in 2006. Having witnessed a great reception, the band started to work on their first album, releasing ‘Dark Rising’ through Massacre Records in 2012 to very positive reviews. After some time touring and promoting the album,the band began composing. However, artistic and creative differences about the new music’s direction and sound would lead to the departure of members and the band split up.
Rute was alone with her project again and having to start all over. Fortunately, this did not stop Rute’s motivation and a few months later, by March of 2016, she had chosen a whole new team of talented musicians to take Enchantya through the next step. After a year of rehearsing with amazing creative chemistry, the band created “On Light and Wrath” , Enchantya’s second album. Like in their debut album, the band booked a few months of studio recordings in 2018 with Fernando Matias at the Pentagon Audio Manufacturers, to bring the new album to life with eleven tracks, entitled “On Light and Wrath” , also taking one step further by adding violin, a whole choir of singers and the guest appearance of the vocalist from D E S I R E , Nuno Caldas, creating a very refreshed and even more epic sound for the band. Finnish label Inverse Records released Enchantya’s album in 2019.
In the middle of their second album’s promo tour, the pandemic hit and the band spent the following two years composing their new opus in the midst of all the chaos. It is now time to release “CERBERUS” , the result of the songwriting through the world’s conflicted times, and also Enchantya’s most ambitious album to date, an ode to how we can all rise from the ashes again and again. With the first single coming out in January, and two more in February and March, the album will finally see the light of day on April 28th, marking a 2023 with Enchantya returning in full form.
Former HADES bassist Jimmy Schulman was recently filmed by Jim Arbogast for the upcoming RAMONES documentary Loudmouth. Schulman was one of only three bassists to be called back to audition a 2nd time.
Watch a snippet from Ramones Loudmouth documentary, below.
Sometime back in 1990s NYC, a power trio from the Lower East Side emerged on the scene, they called themselves Dreams of Venus:
Jimmy Schulman (Hades, Vessel Of Light, Cassius King) on bass
Addie Flaxx (Massive Internal Complications, Pound Of Flesh) on guitar and vocals
Kirke J Blankenship (Ours) on drums
On the heels of NJ Thrashers Hades’ break up Jimmy said, “I knew I wanted to start a band with only one guitar player and base it out of NYC.”
Addie added, “I had been living in Boston and moved back to my hometown NYC. I was looking to do a no bullshit thing, straight up and raw.” The two were introduced one night in an East Village bar by a mutual friend, they hit it off and decided to form a band. Addie said, “When I met Jimmy it was love at 1st misadventure (laughs). We swapped party favors and band influences…then it was off to the races.”
“When we met Kirke he worked at a rehearsal studio. The studio closed at 11:00PM every night and Addie an I would sneak in at midnight.” said Jimmy. Addie added, “Those late-night sessions at the rehearsal space were pretty decadent. Did we play any music?? I really can’t remember…”
Over the next 6 months in a haze of influential substances and like-minded musical tastes they finally emerged from the studio…the poppy seeds were sown.
Influenced by the music of the late 60s early 70s, “We knew we had something different from what was happening at the time.” And the songs? “They basically wrote themselves.” said Jimmy. Addie added, “We were pretty inspired at the time. Tunes were just pouring out of us…hot f*cking lava, baby!”
Through mismanagement and all the industry bullshit that goes along with it, Dreams Of Venus were just another promising act thrown onto the pile of never-to-be-heard bands, before them and after them. But after being shelved for so long, their ‘lost tapes’ made their way back to the band. Their brand of heavy psychedelic/stoner rock and – with no short supply of wah-wah, spot on harmonies and what Addie once described as “We have a secret weapon… the Woolly Mammoth” (referring to the tone of Jimmy’s bass) – rounding out the trio’s sound.
Once Addie and Jimmy heard the tapes after all this time… Jimmy said, “It blew me away how the songs held up.” Addie added, “The DOV stuff was pretty much a distant cool memory for me. When Jimmy resurrected it, I admit I was a bit skeptical. After a listen I was surprised that for a run & gun live 2-track, how good the recording sounded. The performances were solid too. When the label wanted to release it I said, “well, let’s put it out!”
Upon hearing a few songs, 2 European labels, Dyamond Roxx and Hellven Records scooped them up. Now for the first time they’ll be releasing what would’ve been their debut album… Songs From The Essex Street Market
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
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 