IMPERIAL DEMONIC have released their brand new music video for the track The Furnace taken from the band’s debut EP Beneath The Crimson Eclipse out now!’
Imperial Demonic is a melodic black metal band from Belfast, Northern Ireland paying homage to the more polished black metal sound of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. For fans of Dark Funeral, Dissection, and Dimmu Borgir, Imperial Demonic delivers the classic Swedish black metal sound with their debut release Beneath The Crimson Eclipse. With relentless blast beats, melodic hooks, and visceral lyrics, Imperial Demonic is bringing the fire and brimstone back to the modern black metal scene.
Imperial Demonic are Andy Heathen: Vocals Daniel Dempster: Lead Guitars Kacper Lewandowski: Rhythm and Additional Guitars Gareth Murdock: Bass Cameron Åhslund-Glass: Drums
Cameron Åhslund-Glass all music and lyrics Recorded in 2022 at Third Level Audio Engineered and produced by Kacper Lewandowski and James Reeve Artwork by Luciana NedeleaLogo by Nox Fragor Art
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And whereas many of us are dusting off old pictures and sentimental objects, and reminiscing, Swedish melodic death metal virtuosos SOILWORK have dug up a different kind of trip down memory lane. Today, the band digitally releases ‘Kvicksilver’, a Swedish version of ‘Mercury Shadow’ – once released in 2002 on SOILWORK’s fourth album Natural Born Chaos.
SOILWORK states: “Heres an old gem from the vaults! ‘Kvicksilver’ means ‘mercury’ in Swedish and somehow we decided to make a Swedish version of one of our songs during the recording of the Natural Born Chaos album, back in 2002 . We think it turned out pretty damn cool and definitely deserves to be shared with the world at this point. Enjoy ‘Mercury Shadow’ – all sung in Scanian dialect, we give you ‘Kvicksilver’!”
SOILWORK just released new European tour dates together with IN FLAMES and ARCH ENEMY for autumn 2024. Under the moniker of the Rising From The North Tour, the band will tour thirteen countries, starting in the United Kingdom on October 3rd. Find the tour dates here:
OFFICIAL TOUR DATES: 03.10. UK Glasgow – O2 Academy 04.10. UK Manchester – Manchester Academy 05.10. UK Birmingham – O2 Academy 06.10. UK London – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith 08.10. FR Paris – Olympia 09.10. LU Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal 11.10. DE Hamburg – Sporthalle 12.10. DE Düsseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Hall 13.10. NL Den Bosch – Mainstage 15.10. CH Zurich – The Hall 16.10. IT Milan – Alcatraz 18.10 DE Stuttgart – Schleyer-Halle 19.10. DE Frankfurt – Jahrhunderthalle 20.10. DE Munich – Zenith 22.10. AT Vienna – Gasometer 23.10. HU Budapest – Barba Negra 25.10. CZ Prague – Sportovni Hala Fortuna 26.10. DE Dresden – Messe 27.10. DE Berlin – Columbiahalle 29.10. NO Oslo – Spektrum 31.10. SE Malmö – Malmö Arena 01.11. SE Gothenburg – Scandinavium 02.11. SE Stockhom – Hovet 03.11. SE Sundsvall – Nordichallen 05.11. FI Helsinki – Ice Hall
Heavy rock megalith LUCIFER have released a new single called ‘Slow Dance In A Crypt’. The song is another precursor to the new album, V, which is due out on January 26th, 2024, on Nuclear Blast Records. Consisting of nine unholy hymns, LUCIFER’s fifth offering can easily be regarded as their magnum opus and sees the band channeling all their strengths known from previous records into one monumental mass of electrifying heavy rock and roll.
Reminiscent of 70s Scorpions and early Black Sabbath, heavy ballad ‘Slow Dance In A Crypt’ shows a quieter side of LUCIFER while still allowing distorted guitars to soar during its anthemic chorus. The corresponding music video by Chris Shonting is a thematic sequel to the last one, ‘At The Mortuary’, and continues its morbid story line about everlasting love that transcends death, all shot in the style of late 60s George A. Romero.
Furthermore, LUCIFER are pleased to announce a few more dates for their THE SATANIC PANIC EUROPEAN TOUR 2024, the first leg of which they will be co-headlining with NWOBHM legends, ANGEL WITCH. On the second leg they will be joined by German blackened heavy metal band ATTIC. Rising stars THE NIGHT ETERNAL from Germany will be the support on all dates. Please scroll to the bottom for more infos.
THE SATANC PANIC TOUR 2024 (EUROPE) LUCIFER w/ ANGEL WITCH Guests: Attic & The Night Eternal 01.02. SE Gothenburg – Musikens Hus (w/ Crank) 02.02. DE Flensburg – Roxy * 03.02. DE Kassel – Goldgrube * 04.02. DE Berlin – Lido * 06.02. NL Utrecht – De Helling * 07.02. NL Maastricht – Muziekgieterij * 09.02. BE Antwerp – Kavka * 10.02. DE Weiher – Live Music Hall * 11.02. DE Munich – Backstage * 14.02. FR Dijon – La Vapeur ** 16.02. FR Paris – Le Petit Bain ** 17.02. FR Limoges – CC John Lennon ** 18.02. CH Aarau – KiFF ** 20.02. DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann ** 21.02. DE Leipzig – UT Connewitz ** 22.02. DE Hamburg – Bambi Galore ** 23.02. DK Copenhagen – Stengade ** 24.02. SE Linkoping – Skylten ** 25.02. SE Stockholm – Debaser **
* Co-Headliner: ANGEL WITCH ** Guests: ATTIC Support on all dates: THE NIGHT ETERNAL
MORE LUCIFER LIVE DATES FOR 2024 20.04. GR Athens – Temple 28.09. SE Karlskrona – Ultimate Rock Fest
NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS are happy to announce the signing of new Finnish top-class metal band CROWNSHIFT, who have also recently joined the roster of Till Dawn They Count Ltd management (Nightwish, Beast In Black, Sonata Arctica).
Born as the long-time idea of four friends, CROWNSHIFT are a new high standing metal act from Finland. The members, who come from the ranks of Finland’s finest exports such as Nightwish, Children Of Bodom, Wintersun and Finntroll, are thrilled to start a new journey together and spread their authentic sonic print across the globe.
Seamlessly covering a diversity of styles, the quartet has a unique signature to their modern sound. Hypnotizing melodies paired with ripping riffs, from moody mid-tempo songs to fierce prog-death-metal opuses, CROWNSHIFT were born to be master of all trades.
Their forthcoming debut album will undoubtedly be a showcase of relentless ambition that will take you through a wide musical spectrum, with no compromises or boundaries, proving that the band are on a quest to put a striking mark on the map.
The first single & music video will be released on January 17th. Keep your eyes peeled for teasers and further announcements and make sure to follow CROWNSHIFT on their socials to stay up-to-date.
CROWNSHIFT commented: “We’re super happy to start this new chapter in our career with Nuclear Blast. Their history, reputation and devotion as a metal label is incomparable and it is a privilege to embark on this exciting journey together.”
NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS commented: “It’s a pleasure to start working with this highly talented group of musicians. We wouldn’t call it an all-star band but it’s a 5-star result of their collective experience from various bands. And sometimes it takes a while until the right musicians are coming together and find the perfect chemistry. Jukka, Heikki and Daniel already played together in the last Norther line-up until 2012. Since then, they went different ways but always crossed each other’s paths, and finally came back together as CROWNSHIFT with the addition of the amazing vocal talent of Tommy Tuovinen from Mygrain. Their music is of course rooted in the very unique style of Finnish melodic death metal, but CROWNSHIFT enrich it with their admiration for Devin Townsend, both his raging Strapping Young Lad era, as well as the epic prog side, and combine it with a timeless yet modern heaviness similar to the most impressive aspects of metalcore and bands such as Killswitch Engage. Sounds ambitious? Yes, but that’s what it’s all about: being ambitious. Welcome CROWNSHIFT!”
CROWNSHIFT IS: Tommy Tuovinen: Vocals Daniel Freyberg: Guitar, Backing Vocals Jukka Koskinen: Bass Heikki Saari: Drums
Swiss modern metal upstarts ILLUMISHADE unveil their magical sophomore record and Napalm Records debut, Another Side of You, out February 16 2024! Fronted by vocalist Fabienne Erni and guitarist Jonas Wolf (both of Eluveitie) and completed with orchestration and synths by film composer Mirjam Skal, bass by Yannick Urbanczik, and drums by Marc Friedrich, ILLUMISHADE skillfully balances all things both dark and light on Another Side of You.
On their new single cut from the new album, “Here We Are”, Erni’s radiant charisma shines brighter than ever with her crystal-clear vocal delivery. Wolf’s guitar work is as blazing and emotional as ever, while a fresh dose of modern prog brings a cutting edge to the band’s elaborate songwriting. The song impresses with a stomping chorus and an exciting variety in its middle passage, and arrives alongside a stunning music video.
ILLUMISHADE on “Here We Are”: “‘Here We Are’ is an anthem to the essence of being in the here and now. It tells about accepting the legacy of history, acknowledging our current standing as a foundation from which we can move forward.”
Another Side of You is the successor to ILLUMISHADE’s acclaimed debut album, ECLYPTIC: Wake Of Shadows. The second coup showcases a more modern approach both lyrically and musically, while still transporting the listener into an immersive world rich with mesmerizing soundscapes (even enhanced by the Budapest Art Orchestra at certain points) and massive and dreamlike vocal lines, marking the perfect start of a brand new chapter for this promising outfit.
ILLUMISHADE add: “Marking the beginning of a new era, our album Another Side Of You bridges the tangible and the ethereal. It’s an odyssey to the many facets of human emotion but also the challenges we all face in this ever-changing world. Another Side of You is about grounding in reality, yet also letting the music carry you to places unknown.”
Straight out of the gate, opener “ELEGY” darkens the sonic sky with heavy riffs, ominous soundscapes, and a soothing chorus. Even a Theremin makes an appearance, showcasing the band’s experimental palette right from the beginning. Skal’s ethereal tapestries of cinematic greatness lie heavily over the pounding rhythm section, but even more so on its heavier relative “CYCLONE”. The track expands on this approach, making it the progressive pièce de résistance of the album with its cinematic swathes of sound, Meshuggah-esque lead guitar assaults, and even a majestic finale reminiscent of Pink Floyd merged with Tesseract. Drummer Marc Friedrich shines bright here, displaying a dazzling array of ballistic fills and complex grooves.
On the other hand, there’s “Cloudreader”, a highly accessible, uplifting anthem that descends upon the listener’s heart like a warm autumn sun. The highly dynamic and intricate drum work gives it a welcome twist, while modern metal powerhouse “Here We Are” impresses with a stomping chorus and an exciting variety in its middle part. ILLUMISHADE is no stranger to ballads, as “Fairytale” is loaded to the brim with emotion – proving that Fabienne Erni is, without any doubt, one of the most talented vocalists in the current metal scene, reminiscent of her grandiose performance on ECLYPTIC’s “Rise“. Jonas Wolf’s guitar playing shines throughout Another Side of You, boasting towering riffs and searing leads as on “Fairytale” and power metal homage “In The Darkness“, artfully combining fretboard pyrotechnics, soulful melodies often surrounding Erni’s vocals, and a healthy dose of blues, making him a truly exciting player in the scene.
While the rhythm section demonstrates some of its most impactful work on modern metal banger “Riptide“, the longing atmosphere created in “TWILY“ takes the listener on a whole other journey with tingling melodies and probably the most catchy riff on the album, bringing more modern influences to the plate again. A massive surprise awaits in the form of album closer “Verliebt” (Engl. in love). Backed by beautiful piano melodies delivered by Coen Jannsen from Epica, the closing track is sung in Erni’s native Swiss German and, as on all songs, features soulfully penned lyrics by bass player Yannick Urbanczik.
Another Side of You Tracklisting: 1 Enter the Void 2 ELEGY 3 ENEMY 4 In the Darkness 5 Cloudreader 6 Here We Are 7 CYCLONE 8 Fairytale 9 The Horizon Awaits 10 HYMN 11 TWILY 12 Riptide 13 Hummingbird 14 Verliebt (feat. Coen Janssen)
ILLUMISHADE Live 2024
Joining DELAIN on the Dark Waters Over Europe Act II tour 19.01.24 NL – Uden / De Pul 20.01.24 NL – Amstelveen / P60 24.01.24 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch 25.01.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 26.01.24 PL – Warsaw / Proxima 27.01.24 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra Blue Stage 28.01.24 AT – Vienna / Szene 30.01.24 IT – Milan / Santeria Toscana 31 31.01.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7 01.02.24 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos Saal 02.02.24 NL – Heerlen / De Nieuwe Nor 03.02.24 DE – Bochum / Matrix
Festivals 31.05.24 CZ – Pilsen / Metalfest Open Air 2024 13.06.24 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Rock Fest 2024
ILLUMISHADE are: Fabienne Erni – Voice, Piano Jonas Wolf – Guitars Mirjam Skal – Orchestration / Synths Yannick Urbanczik – Bass Marc Friedrich – Drums
The iconic KK’S PRIEST – featuring Judas Priest alum and GRAMMY Award musicians K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals) – unveiled their blistering sophomore offering, The Sinner Rides Again, in September to rave reviews! Blabbermouth dubbed it “an absolutely ripping metal record”, while Paste stated, “…with all respect to Rob Halford and co., nothing they’ve produced in recent years feels as dynamic and as heavy as the material that their former guitarist has been forging with his project KK’S PRIEST.”
Today, KK’S PRIEST continue the onslaught of The Sinner Rides Again with another fantastic, high-quality music video, this time taking us into the future atop the high-energy anthem “Sons Of The Sentinel”!
Enjoy the brand new music video and stay tuned for 2024 touring news, coming soon from KK’S PRIEST!
K.K. Downing says about “Sons Of The Sentinel”: “Following the epic ‘Return Of The Sentinel’, it was inevitable that this sequel would evolve. The history of these intergalactic mercenaries has to justifiably continue as long as there is metal in our veins.
It was with great sorrow that our first great father, and warlord, met his demise upon his return, but the powers of those that would be have initiated an even more powerful force to be the protectors of the entire universe. Though – heed the warning – you must always beware to never stand in their way because they are a force that are like no other and have never been seen before! They are The ‘Sons Of The Sentinel’.”
With The Sinner Rides Again, KK’S PRIEST double down on the ripping melodic force of their debut, Sermons Of The Sinner– which Metal Hammer UK dubbed “hugely enjoyable” and Metal Injection cited as boasting “catchy hooks and plenty of guitar wizardry”. The Sinner Rides Again wields nine tracks of pure hellfire, produced and written by Downing and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen. The celebrated new album is a call for the classics while speeding full force into the future, delivered by some of heavy metal’s most essential performers.
The Sinner Rides Again track listing: 1. Sons Of The Sentinel 2. Strike Of The Viper 3. Reap The Whirlwind 4. One More Shot At Glory 5. Hymn 66 6. The Sinner Rides Again 7. Keeper Of The Graves 8. Pledge Your Souls 9. Wash Away Your Sins
KK’S PRIEST – 2024 FESTIVAL DATES: May 18 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Rock Hard Festival June 15 – Zamora, Spain – Z! Live Festival July 14 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters Of Rock Festival August 4 – Rasnov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme Fest August 24 – Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom – Stonedead Festival
KK’S PRIEST is: Tim “Ripper” Owens – Vocals K.K. Downing – Guitar A.J. Mills – Guitar Tony Newton – Bass Sean Elg – Drums
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
