Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

ESP Announce 2023 European Fall Tour & Release Epic New Music Video ‘I Stand For Peace’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 8, 2023

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: E.S.P., Engineered Society Project, ESP. Leave a comment

Mindsnap Music & Popkillazz Presents announce that Mindsnap/Combat recording artist, Engineered Society Project (ESP), will embark on a 4 country, 10 show debut European Tour. All shows will be performed with Lord Bishop Rocks!

“We are excited to have ESP go to Europe and bring their special brand of metal to all the loyal music fans over seas. We’re especially thankful to also have LORD BISHOP ROCKS performing & joining ESP on all shows on this tour as well,” says Christian F. Lawrence, CEO Mindsnap Music.

The tour will begin in Dielsdorf, Switzerland September 29th and will include shows in Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. Additional shows may be added.

ESP has also just released a stellar new music video for their single “I Stand For Peace”. The single is off of their newly released EP MyTV available everywhere music is streamed and downloaded. Grab the new EP MyTV at https://orcd.co/esp_my-tv

Former Gargantua Soul singer and Woodstock ‘99 veteran, Kris Keyes, secures frontman position and takes over all vocal duties for Tim “Ripper” Owens joining the classic style metal band E.S.P. (Engineered Society Project).

In addition, E.S.P. signed a worldwide deal with the quickly moving indie label Mindsnap Music/Combat Records. Mindsnap Music is owned and operated by Christian F. Lawrence (better known as “Opus”) and is distributed exclusively by Von Artists, Ltd. / The Orchard. Mindsnap Music has put out the likes of Joey Concepcion (solo), Dead By Wednesday, Bomber Alley (members of Dee Snider’s solo band), Howland Hyatt (Metal Church drummer Stet Howland), Joetown, S.O.S. & more!

Check out what, Todd LaTorre, vocalist of Queensryche, has to say about them…

E.S.P. takes the old school approach, but spins it with a modern twist without sacrificing integrity or respect for the style. E.S.P. consists of seasoned professionals that have extensive touring and industry experience. The band has lead singer Kris Keyes, formerly with Gargantua Soul, appeared at Woodstock 99. Kris’s former band was managed by the Rage Against the Machine team. Jo Jo Brown, the lead guitarist, brings a unique style of Neo Classical Metal coupled with an unmistakable touch of soul that connects with his audience. Timothy Moss, the bass guitarist, is well known in industry circles. Sean Salinas drives the beat on drums and was with the Cirque Soleil KA and Zumanity resident shows in Las Vegas. Together with their original music, this act brings an electric night of music that captures the attention of their audience and provides great entertainment value.

FFO the “Pain Killer” era Judas Priest, as well as, bands like Raven, Van Halen, Dangerous Toys, Anvil, Megadeth, Queensryche, & more!

For More Information Please Visit: Official Website – Facebook – Instagram

THE GOODBYE SUMMER Unleash New Video ‘Letting Go’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 8, 2023

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: THE GOODBYE SUMMER. Leave a comment

Nova Scotia’s THE GOODBYE SUMMER serve up a barrage of hardcore infused skate punk coupled with a hearty dose of 2000’s emo in their new music video for “Letting Go” from their recent EP “Hockey Skate Punk”.

The video recently premiered via New Noise Magazine and the feature can be found here.

Founded by vocalist/guitarist Daniel Hornell, self-described drum nerd Alex Heibein and inventive bassist Brad Dodge, The Goodbye Summer are an emo powerhouse who deliver a catalog of pop-punk love letters and catchy mosh pit anthems for any underground scene. Fans of Blink 182, Brand New, and Rise Against.

Formerly of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Hornell’s love of music came fast and furious from a young age from the moment he picked up an electric guitar at the age of 12. He’s been the driving force of bands and musical projects across Atlantic Canada ranging from pop punk, rap, techno and screamo. But in 2020 Hornell decided that it was time to cement a path that was true to his roots.

“When I first landed in Nova Scotia back in 2011, it was all about DJ, techno and rap. I was doing that for artists and rappers in the area and eventually did a bit of my own. But it just wasn’t my vibe,” he recalled. “It came to the point where it was like, OK, I’ve been writing songs for 15 years. I’ve got all these songs and they all had this leaving home, crying about girls vibe. I’m going to package this. I’m going to make this my band.”

Recruiting London, Ontario native Alex Heibein and former session-mate Brad Dodge, Hornell carved out the bones of what would become the debut LP of The Goodbye Summer, a concept record of sorts reflecting the emotional highs and lows that came from leaving his home of Newfoundland a decade prior.

“We made The Goodbye Summer, which is all about the summer I left home from Newfoundland and the emotions in that. That longing of wanting to be back home. And it had a lot of emo vibes and a real good source of lyrics for the album. and for the band. I’ve got a fountain of this. There’s going to be more longing for home songs.”

During the winter of 2022-2023 Hornell wrote what would become their newest and most aggressive release “Hockey Skate Punk EP” which showed a darker and more rambunctious side of the band.

“The name Hockey Skate Punk is a play on the Skate Punk genre of southern California. Instead of Skateboards and sunshine we’ve got Hockey skates and snow banks. We’re making fast, aggressive pop-punk and being Canadian, the title just felt right.”

While the EP was written over the course of a weekend, the recording process took almost 6 months due to scheduling issues and other musical projects.

“I honestly think me and Alex tracked the drums in his garage in like November of 2022 and then got distracted by other projects were working on. It wasn’t until spring of 2023 that we were like ‘oh yeah! We need to finish that EP’ so we did all the bass, guitar and vocals in the month immediately before releasing it. We coordinated the release date with the end of the NHL hockey season to really drive home the whole hockey thing. This EP was particularity cool as Brad sings harmonies on most songs where he never really did on previous releases.”

Fast, desolate and full of heart, Hockey Skate Punk is proof that The Goodbye Summer are able to produce endless hits that compliment the introspective journey of their sad-boy-summer debut.

Connect with The Goodbye Summer:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodbyesummer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodbyesummer/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1pICQbUdUGO4CCFvGkc3Jw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mVpR5C5BxefKSl9Kzppim
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-goodbye-summer/1572421155
Bandcamp: https://thegoodbyesummer.bandcamp.com
Link tree: https://linktr.ee/thegoodbyesummerband

SARGASSUS Release First Single ‘Breed of the Exodus’ from Upcoming EP

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 8, 2023

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SARGASSUS. Leave a comment

Finnish post-metal band SARGASSUS released their first single ‘Breed of the Exodus’ from their upcoming EP. An EP named ‘King of the Sun’ is set to be released on August 17th 2023 via Inverse Records.

The band comments:
“Breed of the Exodus, is an intriguing mix of the band’s softest delivery so far coupled with hints of some of the harshest and most brutal parts in their catalogue. There are changes in time signatures, smooth grooves and full-on double bass hammering, whereas the guitars and bass alternate between beautiful melodies and dark tunes, creating surprising and devastating changes in the atmosphere. With its impressive length of 6 minutes, the song is still sure to keep the listener interest all the way through and while offering a rollercoaster of feelings on a trip to Sargassus-land!

The vocals represent the full EP in that they are more versatile, brutal and beautiful than ever. Thematically, as the first single of the upcoming EP, the song functions as an interlude between the chronicles of the king of the sun and the queen of the moon. While their armies are locked in cosmic battle over the ownership of Venus, their respective kingdoms crumble. “Breed of the exodus” refers to the unfortunate masses that get caught in the crossfire of two warring sides. While leaders command their conquest from the comfort of their seats of power, the ordinary people suffer the consequences. Like Sisyphus of Greek legend, they must push on, even when their efforts amount to nothing while the war machinery rages on. They suffer, they go hungry, and they are buried under rubble, while their leaders in their endless opulence seem blind to their agony. The stone must be moved, but another one will always come”

LISTEN to Breed of the Exodus single: https://push.fm/fl/sargassus-breed

Composed by Teemu Leskinen, Matias Rokio & Matias Stenman
Lyrics by Matias Stenman
Mix & Master: Samu Oittinen
Vocal production: Raging Cannon
Single cover by Matias Stenman

Operating somewhere in the depths of post-metal and progressive death metal, Sargassus is sure to attract the fans of many metal subgenres with their unique style. The band was established more than ten years ago by guitarist Teemu Leskinen and drummer Matias Rokio. Years of playing and practising together laid the ground for what Sargassus is today. The debut EP The Giant was composed over a period of 2 years and finalized when Matias Stenman joined the band on vocals in 2020. The following single Tiamat and later EP The Albatross introduced improved production quality coupled with all the more progressive touch. The band’s music combines progressive and heavy riffs with dynamic drumming and atmospheric interludes. Interestingly, most songs are composed intuitively in live jamming sessions by Rokio and Leskinen. Stenman is the crazy mastermind responsible for the poetic aspect of the songs and Jukka Teppola wakes up the lower (fretless) frequencies with his own elegant style. Thematically the band draws its inspiration from mythology and literature.

Line-Up:
Teemu Leskinen – Guitar
Matias Rokio – Drums
Matias Stenman – Vocals
Jukka Teppola – Bass

More info at

Rick Ventura’s RIOT ACT to Play RIOT Album “Fire Down Under” in Full

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 8, 2023

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Rick Ventura, RIOT ACT. Leave a comment

RIOT guitar legend Rick Ventura will be bringing his band RIOT ACT back to England for a short run of shows to warm up for British Steel Festival in France on October 7th. RIOT ACT will be playing the critically acclaimed classic RIOT album Fire Down Under in full, as well as other classic Riot tunes. Kaine, a young Heavy Metal band from Essex, England will be joining them on the tour. This is the first headline tour the band has done in England.

Tickets will be available from the venues box offices or from www.firedownundertour.co.uk

30th of September 2023: The Music Room, Ipswich (ENG)
1st of October 2023: Waterfront, Norwich (ENG)
3rd of October 2023: Portland Arms, Cambridge (ENG)
4th of October 2023: Three Wise Monkeys, Colchester (ENG)
5th of October 2023: The Birthplace of Iron Maiden – The Cart & Horses, London (ENG)
7th of October 2023: British Steel Festival, Fismes, France (EU)

Rick Ventura was a member of the classic Riot line-up that recorded the legendary albums Narita (1979), Fire Down Under (1981), Restless Breed (1982), and Born In America (1983). He also appeared on the Riot Live (1989) live album. Fire Down Under is considered the ultimate Riot album, having made the Billboard 200 on its original release.

Riot Act released their debut double album Closer to the Flame (Global Rock Records) in 2022 which features both original material and re-recordings of Riot classics. The band then joined Lillian Axe on their U.K Tour in 2022 to promote the album, alongside the English Heavy Metal band Kaine.

This will be a rare opportunity for classic Rock/Metal fans to see Rick perform the FIRE DOWN UNDER album in full, as well as all the other legendary Riot tunes from the 1980s.

Watch “Swords and Tequila 2023” here:

Riot Act: https://open.spotify.com/album/7wGAdkFVNndoFBEnmXjykD
Fire Down Under: https://open.spotify.com/album/5yygmFcqz4aOo36rLXyNXO

DEATH’S-HEAD AND THE SPACE ALLUSION to Release Second Album, Reveal First Single ‘The Son of Shahar’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 8, 2023

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DEATH'S-HEAD AND THE SPACE ALLUSION. Leave a comment

Photo by Kari Kerosalo (Instagram: @lonkerosal)

Finnish DEATH’S-HEAD AND THE SPACE ALLUSION are set to release their second album later in 2023. The first single ‘The Son of Shahar’ from the upcoming album is now released and the lyric video is available below.

Guitarist Antza Talala comments:

“The Son of Shahar is a heavy and mid-tempo song that felt appropriate to release as the first bite.

Lyric-wise it’s quite simple. The way of the world today is frankly quite hilarious, and despite all the promises the second coming of Jesus isn’t showing any signs of happening, you might as well call for The Son of Dawn and probe his brain for ideas.

Truthfully, there might be an idea from human behavioural models behind the lyrics, but we let everyone reach their own conclusions.”

LISTEN to The Son of Shahar single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/dhatsa-shahar

Composed by Antza Talala
Lyrics by Antza Talala
Single cover by Petri Lampela

DEATH’S-HEAD AND THE SPACE ALLUSION, a band founded in 2016 in Oulu, Finland, is a combination of melodies, metal and clean vocals. The band released their debut album ‘The Counterbalance ‘ in 2019 and now they are ready to release their second album! A few singles from the album will be released before people can listen to the full album.

This originally named band has an interesting way of infusing their music with melodies, metal and the raging spirit of rock with its guitar solos, and all this with a progressive touch.

Familiar atmospheres and vibes from the 80’s can be heard in their music as well, which come from a large quantity of keyboards in their songs.

The band has members from several known bands including To/Die/For, Burning Point, Antipope and Downstone.

DEATH’S-HEAD AND THE SPACE ALLUSION is a great, new kind of a modern sounding band where bold influences from the 80’s can be heard. This excellent metal palette is brilliantly brought forward with ’The Counterbalance’ debut album. The upcoming second album will continue on the same path!

Line-up:
Valtteri Virolainen – vocals
Antza Talala – guitars
Aleksi Mäkelä – guitars
Juho Rikberg – bass
Jussi Ontero – drums

More info at
https://www.facebook.com/dhatsaband
https://www.instagram.com/dhatsabandofficial

HIEMS Premieres Music Video for New Track ‘Stranger in a Wasteland’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 8, 2023

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: HIEMS. Leave a comment

Italy’s avant-garde, one-man black metal band, HIEMS, premieres music video for the title song of new album “Stranger in a Wasteland”, due out September 8th on Agonia Records.

The video was recorded in the city of Novara by Maurizio Del Piccolo of Moviedel Italia Productions, and is starring Alessandro “Algol” Comerio of HIEMS and Martina Tomasoni. Watch the video, here:

HIEMS was launched in 1996 by Italian songwriter & multi-instrumentalist Alessandro “Algol” Comerio. “Stranger in a Wasteland” marks his third outing and is the sound of an artist confident in his craft. Recorded during lock-down, the music captures the dismal feelings of alienation and detachment, and translates them into malevolent, minimalistic and non-canonical black metal, infused with dark hard rock and ominous grooves. In comparison with “Worship or Die” – the second and last installment from 2009 – “Stranger in a Wasteland” boasts a much clearer and refined production, which added a commanding character to the vocals, exposed the weight of the guitars, and sharpened the overall listening experience. The topic of death – closely followed by a sense of not belonging – is equally present in the musical and lyrical layer of the album.

“It’s been a long time since the last Hiems record,” recalls Comerio. “I’ve always continued to write material, but only when the pandemic gave me some free time was I able to gather the songs written in the past years and shape them. I chose the name of the record to highlight the song that is the best representation of my vision of life and the current world. I feel like a stranger wherever I go. I can’t find any religion or philosophy with which I can completely agree, and today’s world seems to me a wasteland; destroyed and forgotten. So yeah, I do feel like a stranger in a wasteland. It’s about not belonging to any creed or flag. To follow your own path, even if it leads to loneliness. Regarding the production, I’m a sound maniac. I spent days and days in the studio, searching for the sound I had in mind. I wanted the record to sound different from actual ‘plastic’ metal, so I chose not to use triggers or artificial reverbs and go completely old school.”

“Stranger in a Wasteland” was recorded at Elfo Studio (Forgotten Tomb), engineered by Daniele Mandelli and mixed and produced by Daniele Mandelli and Alessandro “Algol” Comerio. The album was mastered at La Maestà Studio (Muse) by Giovanni Versari and comes with artwork by Adam Burke (Solstafir, Enforcer). Layout illustrations (medieval engravings) were provided by Davide Schileo. Guest appearances include Gabriel Minuta (guest guitars), Paolo Apollo Negri (guest hammond organs) and Elisabetta Marchetti (guest vocals).