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
Metal Blade Records is pleased to announce the signing of the American metal quintet, WRETCHED, who will release their 5th full-length album with the label – more details will be announced in the coming months so be sure to follow the band to keep up to date on all things WRETCHED.
The band commented; “It is with great excitement that we announce the official return of WRETCHED! We’ve signed on with Metal Blade Records and we’re both eager to bring new material to you. Stay tuned.“
About the band: Formed in September of 2005, WRETCHED began their career in Charlotte, North Carolina, gaining their first signing with Victory Records in 2008 and going on to release four full-length studio albums; The Exodus of Autonomy (2009), Beyond The Gate (2010), Son of Perdition (2012), and Cannibal (2014). During that timespan, WRETCHED spent most of their efforts touring North America before eventually spending some time away from the road after 2015. The band continued to write and record music in the years after with those recording sessions still continuing on today.
“We’re beyond excited to hit the stage and share all of the new music we’ve been creating.” commented the band. “We’ve worked on numerous things in the last years and are excited to let this stuff out into the wild. We’re currently writing for our debut release on Metal Blade and we can’t be more honored to be able to work with some great people, make some fun music and hang with our friends and fans out on the road!“
Members: Billy Powers – vocals Joel Moore – guitars Steven Funderburk – guitars Andrew Grevey – bass Marshall Wieczorek – drums
‘One of My Bad Days’ is the name of the brand-new track from Johannesburg-based Industrialised Thrash veterans CHAOS DOCTRINE. This is what Chaos Doctrine is known for doing best. It is angry, fast, and super heavy! It is a tale of a mass murderer relaying his crimes – not confessing, just relaying. If you like Thrash Metal with hints of Death Metal, whether you know the band’s back catalogue or not, this track will make you happy.
Drummer Jason Eedes recalls the first time he heard the song, sharing “I just joined the band, and the guys wanted to start rehearsing this track for our live set. I was immediately attracted to the ferocious pounding of the drums, ranging from groovy beats to outright blasts, driving the catchy riffs and the spitting vocals. Definitely one of my favourites to play live!”
Alec Surridge, band guitarist and engineer affirms that “when I wrote this track, I wanted something that reflects my deep love for Swedish Death Metal, but clearly says THIS IS CHAOS DOCTRINE. We took a much lighter Industrial touch this time to leave the spotlight on heavy guitar riffs and maintain that old school feel, and when Dr D laid down a vocal (that I can only describe as Sepultura-meets-Testament), I knew we hit that magic spot!”
Bass guitarist and band’s visual artist Phil Carstens agrees, adding that “this track is definitely much more classic old school Thrash: relentless riffs, grooving drums, and lyrics about a mass murderer that freely admits to everyone he killed but refuses to accept any guilt!”
‘One of My Bad Days’ also brings the band’s second collaboration with a South African visual artist for the track imagery (the first being Martyr’s track image done by Lisa Botes of ‘Art Defrosted’). This time, the band worked with local Surrealist Artist Ras Steyn, who is making a name for himself producing outstanding artworks that harken back to masters like Dali.
Vocalist Dr D explains that “I came across Ras’s portfolio on Facebook, and I absolutely love his stuff. We started talking about a collab, and when the band agreed that ‘One of My Bad Days’ would be our next single, I knew his work would be perfect to reflect the overall song pathos and intent. He did NOT disappoint, it is great!’.
The artist himself, Ras Steyn, adds that “When Chaos Doctrine asked me to create the art for their new single, I listened to the track a few times and knew that I had full license to amplify my already dark Surrealist style. It’s a deeply distressing song so I had to respond with an equally unnerving and confrontational cover. It was a beautifully dark experience and one hell of a ride! And I’m ready for more of their stuff!”
Chaos Doctrine Bio
Chaos Doctrine brings a unique and modern metal assault by blending old school thrash and death with aggressive industrial metal. Originally formed in 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa by vocalist Dr D (Bedlam, Malachi, DedX), the band line up is completed by veteran guitarist and band producer Alec Surridge (Sacraphyx, The Warinsane), bass guitarist, backing vocalist and band visual artist Phil Carstens (DedX), and explosive drummer Jason Eedes (Jasper Dan, Azraella’s Sorrow, Beyond the Pale & The Sinners).
For its members, Chaos Doctrine is more than a band: it is a comprehensive sensory experience and a brand. Everything the band produces conveys this – the band name itself, their aggressive sonic releases, explosive live shows, dystopic visual products, and stabbing lyrical content. Chaos Doctrine explores the shadow of the human condition, hatred, brutality, decay. Their approach is unrelenting, fueled by rage and void of apology. This is aggression, this is Chaos Doctrine!
BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE have unveiled the epic mesmerizing track ‘Threatening’ as the next single taken from the forthcoming new album “Aion”. The third full-length of the German psychedelic doom four-piece is slated for release on August 18, 2023 through Magnetic Eye Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
The 12:05 min. track ‘Threatening’ is now streaming here:
Simon Weinrich comments: “We wrote ‘Threatening’ as the first song after the release of ‘Grandmother’, our previous album”, the guitarist, synth player, and singer explains. “The soundscapes that made up ‘Grandmother’ are still very much audible in this song, which makes it the perfect musical bridge towards ‘Aion’.”
Tracklist:
Aion
Divergence
Threatening
Consonance
Courtyard
Excavation
Scouring the Land
Grey Wels
On a calm day, water can appear gentle and inviting. Yet what seems permeable and supple can become vicious and brutal in an instant, as anyone who has ever been caught in a storm at sea can attest. As such, water is the perfect elemental theme for “Aion”, the third album of German psychedelic doom contenders BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE.
Lyrically, water is present on “Aion” both for its life-giving quality but also its darker and more ominous side. Musically, BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE deliver spacious, dynamic compositions that move from drifting tranquility to raging power. A constant tidal movement of ebb and flow translates into spaced-out guitars, pounding bass-lines, and dripping drum-fills, crowned by echoing clean vocals. Stylistically, the album easily transcends the psychedelic doom label previously attached to the band into something deeper and more resonant.
The seemingly endless mental vista of the seas that BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE‘s sonic spaces develop also touch upon another important aspect of “Aion”: time. The album title derives from the Greek word ἀιών (aiṓn), which translates as ‘eternity’ and has come to denote ‘ages’ in the English word ‘aeon’. The songs on “Aion” cycle through a sense of compressing and expanding time, creating an elliptical pattern that can move from sudden to hypnotic and back.
BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE were founded in the German city of Stuttgart in 2014. With all four members having grown up together since childhood and coming from an academic background, the band had a clearly defined goal right from the start: to contrast crushing doom metal riffs with the spheric sounds of post- and psychedelic rock. This is emphasised by reverberating vocals that recite metaphorical lyrics and float through beautiful and heavy sonic spaces.
BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE laid down their musical template with the debut album “Medicine” in 2017, which provided the solid foundation of their ever-evolving sound. Their sophomore full-length “Grandmother” (2019) expanded the sonic horizon through lower tuning, densely layered effects, faster passages, and harder vocals. The Germans also started performing live at home and abroad to continuously growing audiences, which led to the recording and release of “Harvestmen (live)” in 2022.
It is time to set sails and glide over the endless seas of time that BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE create on “Aion” for a glimpse of sparkling sonic stars and the beauty of eternity.
Line-up Simon Weinrich – guitar, synth, vocals Marc Dreher – drums, vocals Lucas Dreher – guitar Christopher Popowitsch – bass
Guest musicians Luis Depfner (JAMHED) – piano, synthesizer on ‘Grey Wels’ Ralv Milberg (Milberg Studios) – several background 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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 