After a very promising EP released back in 2021 and a handful of singles that sparked folk metal fans’ enthusiasm – especially the Scandinavian strain – VANSIND finally release today their debut album, “Mørket”. With their feet planted firmly in the Danish soil, the band provides a solid soundtrack for battle, chain dance and raised horns with melodies inspired by folk music that meets solid metal, rumbling growls, and clean female singing. The lyrical themes are inspired by the darker side of Nordic mythology and Scandinavian history.
Where the glimmer of the eye meets the glimpse of the sword you’ll find Vansind. And, if you enter the dance, maybe you’ll get a glimpse of Valhal too.
“Mørket” is out today on LP (black vinyl, limited to 300) and digital formats via Mighty Music. Orders are available here. Digital version here.
The band also released the official video of the song “Den Første Fejde”. Check it out below.
Vansind was formed in the summer of 2019 as a folk-inspired metal band. The band is based in Slagelse, Denmark, though the members are from all over the country. Just as the members’ geographical difference their musical background is also vastly different (with members of Panzerchrist, Iron Fire, Vanir, Detest and Mindmare gracing the lineup), they share their love for the music and a wish to add something special to the Danish folk scene. This year alone they graced festivals such as Næstved Metalfest, Asgaard Rock Festival, Warhorns Festival (UK), Hörnerfest (DE) and Burning Q Festival (DE) and they’re now set sailing for a bigger conquering trip with their amazing debut studio album.
“Mørket” tracklist: 1. Den Store Ask 2. Grib Til Våben 3. Blodmosen 4. Før Dagen Gryr 5. Den Første Fejde 6. Blót 7. Rejsen Mod Nord 8. Frigg
Cover artwork by Bjørn O. Holter
Lineup: J. Asgaard – vocals Line Burglin – vocals Kirk Backarach – guitars Mikael Christensen – bass Rikke Klint Johansen – keyboards, tinwhistles, bagpipes Danni Lyse Jelsgaard – drums
Norway’s Karisma Records have welcomed fellow Scandinavian Prog Rockers RITUAL to its Roster, and will be releasing the band’s sixth full-length album in 2024.
RITUAL is a progressive rock band from Stockholm, formed in 1993. Influenced equally by progressive rock and hardrock of the 70s and contemporary bands like The Police, XTC and It Bites, RITUAL forged their own distinctive brand of progressive music.
The characteristics of the band’s sound were already prominent on their eponymous debut album, released in 1995: song based, melodic and intense, with a great stylistic variation, and plenty of folk music influences seeping in. The latter feature is not least due to the band’s frequent use of acoustic instruments like bouzouki, mandola, whistles and the Swedish nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle).
Songs like “Seasong For The Moominpappa” also showed something that would become a hallmark of the band: lyrics inspired by Tove Jansson’s novels about the Moomins. This culminated in the album “The Hemulic Voluntary Band” from 2008, where five out of six songs drew inspiration from Tove Jansson, including the 26-minute long “A Dangerous Journey”.
Over the years, RITUAL have established themselves as a confident and powerful live band through numerous tours around Europe and appearances at international festivals such as Rites Of Spring Fest in the USA and Baja Prog in Mexico.
The band is currently putting the finishing touches to the upcoming epic “The Story of Mr. Bogd, Part I” and RITUAL’s lineup of Patrik Lundström on lead vocals and guitar, Fredrik Lindqvist on bass, mandola, dulcimer, recorder and vocals, Jon Gamble on keyboards and vocals, and Johan Nordgren on drums, percussion and vocals, had this to say about teaming up with Karisma Records:
We are very excited to enter the warm cabin of Karisma Records and I think we will feel right at home there. As a band from Sweden, the Scandinavian connection feels reassuring, and Karisma’s line-up of good bands and artists feels absolutely right.
We want to collaborate with people who are dedicated music fans and who believe in what we do in RITUAL, and we feel that Karisma lives up to this and has the right focus. We look forward to releasing our sixth full-length album under the Karisma Records label!
Five long years since their latest, fifth studio album Watching The World Come Undone, Birmingham-based punks TEMPLETON PEK have released a lyric video for their brand new track, entitled “Perfect Storm”! The song is now available via all digital streaming services at: https://templetonpek.bfan.link/perfect-storm
The band comments:“We chose “Perfect Storm” for the first release from a new batch of material as it’s pretty fitting considering we have been away for a while, and I think everyone can relate to the message given the events that have taken place recently.
It’s about riding through a crisis, and how going through that can actually be a positive thing and a perfect tool for change. But, on the flip side it can also allow the corrupt to take advantage whilst offering a smokescreen to distract from their exploits.“
Ever since their formation in 2005, TEMPLETON PEK draws influences from their anger at a shift in the worlds political landscape. The band has shared stages with The Offspring, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Sum 41, NOFX, Alkaline Trio, Lagwagon, Millencolin, Zebrahead, Ignite, Pennywise and many more touring mainland Europe and the UK.
Their new single, “Perfect Storm”, was written, recorded, mixed and mastered entirely in the UK. “We recorded in our hometown of Birmingham at Vada Studios over a year period, under the guidance of producer/mixer George Perks (Enter Shikari, Skindred) and mastered at the legendary Metropolis Studios London by Andy ‘Hippy’ Baldwin,“ the band adds. “Could this be a thinly veiled barb directed at the despicable behaviour of certain publicly schooled leaders taking advantage of a crisis, benefiting from it, whilst facing zero repercussions?… or is it just a song about the weather? You decide.
Either way, we wanted to take our time, come back stronger, have something to say and deliver the best songs we possibly could.
So, welcome to the new storm…There are more coming on the horizon!”
Female-fronted modern metal formidable force CONSPIRACY OF BLACKNESS is proud to unveil their spellbinding and emotionally charged dual-track spectacle, “Oblivion / Rise”.
Directed by the visionary Raoul Noise from Novarolfilm, this cinematic journey plunges audiences into a realm where the ethereal meets the intense—a world where “Oblivion” delicately caresses the senses while “Rise” commands with raw, visceral power.
In this visually captivating narrative, the songs entwine seamlessly, transcending the boundaries between dreams and reality. Nightmares materialize into a dark and mystical universe, echoing the profound depth of human emotion.
The intertwined melodies of ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Rise’ echo our deepest fears and unleash the fury of inner demons,” shares the band. “These tracks are a raw reflection of the relentless battles against insecurities and the shadows that haunt our daily lives.”
With an infusion of intense dark and new wave soundscapes, Conspiracy of Blackness pushes sonic boundaries, delivering a uniquely atmospheric experience. Their musical tapestry, enriched by elements of nu-metal and alternative sounds, pays homage to the influential tones of the 90s and 2000s while forging an innovative path forward.
Conspiracy of Blackness are
Antonio Bortone| Guitar Grazia Riccardo| Vocals Andrea Caliri | Bass Francesco Salerno| Drums
Flowers, from Spanish post hardcore group THE DISTANCE, is the first single from their upcoming full-length album, The Wound, that will be released worldwide via Sliptrick Records in 2024.
In the song, The Distance combine the melodies and the strength that fill the album, along with full, emotional lyrics that are half spoken and half screamed.
Multi-platinum hard rock powerhouse, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH celebrates the 10th Anniversary of “The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 & Volume 2” and announced a LIMITED EDITION VINYL 6LP BOX SET, as well as a digital release that will be available on December 1, 2023.
In 2013, Five Finger Death Punch launched 2 albums, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 & Volume 2.
The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 is the fourth studio album by Five Finger Death Punch and the first of two albums released by the band in 2013. It was released on July 30, 2013. The album debuted in the United States Billboard 200 charts at No. 2, their highest chart position in that country, with 113,000 copies sold. Volume 2 and Got Your Six would eventually tie this chart record. The album has been certified platinum for sales of at least 1,000,000 copies in the US and was produced by Five Finger Death Punch and Kevin Churko.
The album’s opening track and lead single is “Lift Me Up” featuring Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford. Vocalist Ivan Moody remarked that “just to work alongside an icon like Rob Halford, The Metal God, was absolutely surreal.”
The album’s 3rd single was the title track “Wrong Side of Heaven” and became the band’s biggest hit to date. The video for “Wrong Side Of Heaven” was released in honor of all those who served and continue to serve, to pay tribute to those who fought and sacrificed for all of us and to raise awareness and to support veterans facing PTSD by partnering with organizations around the country. The official video to the song has now been viewed a staggering 400 million times. Watch it here.
The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2 is the fifth studio album by Five Finger Death Punch, and the second of two albums released by the band in 2013, released on November 19, 2013. The album was certified gold by the RIAA and is also produced by Five Finger Death Punch and Kevin Churko. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Top Rock Albums, selling 77,000 copies in its first week. First single, “Battle Born“, was released on September 10, 2013. The song’s given title is a reference to the Flag of Nevada, the home state of the band. The second single, a cover of The Animals‘ classic “House of the Rising Sun“, was released on February 3, 2014.
“The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1 & Volume 2” includes a rare version of ‘Burn MF’ Feat. ROB ZOMBIE, LISTEN HERE and watch the lyric video below.
THE WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN AND THE RIGHTEOUS SIDE OF HELL: VOLUME 1 Disc One/Side A
Lift Me Up (Feat. Rob Halford)
Watch You Bleed
You
Wrong Side Of Heaven
Disc One/Side B
Burn MF
I.M. Sin
Anywhere But Here
Dot Your Eyes
Disc Two/Side A
M.I.N.E (End This Way)
Mama Said Knock You Out (Feat. Tech N9ne)
Diary Of A Dead Man
Disc Two/Side B
I.M. Sin (Feat. Max Cavalera) BONUS TRACK
Anywhere But Here (Feat. Maria Brink) BONUS TRACK
Dot Your Eyes (Feat. Jamey Jasta) BONUS TRACK
Burn MF (Feat. Rob Zombie) BONUS TRACK
PURGATORY (TALES FROM THE PIT) Disc One/Side A
Intro
Under And Over It
Burn It Down
American Capitalist
Hard To See
Disc One/Side B
Coming Down
Bad Company
White Knuckles
Disc Two/Side A
Drum Solo
Far From Home
Never Enough
War Is The Answer
Remember Everything
Disc Two/Side B
No One Gets Left Behind
The Bleeding
Burn MF (Mr. Kane And Nikka Bling Remix, Feat Rob Zombie) BONUS TRACK
Weight Beneath My Sin (Feat. Ryan Clark) BONUS TRACK
THE WRONG SIDE OF HEAVEN AND THE RIGHTEOUS SIDE OF HELL: VOLUME 2 Disc One/Side A
Here To Die
Weight Beneath My Skin
Wrecking Ball
Disc One/Side B
Battle Born
Cradle To The Grave
Matter Of Time
Disc Two/Side A
The Agony Of Regret
Cold
Let This Go
Disc Two/Side B
My Heart Lied
A Day In My Life
House Of The Rising Sun
Five Finger Death Punch are Andy James (Guitar), Chris Kael (Bass), Ivan Moody (vocals), Zoltan Bathory (Guitar), Charlie Engen (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
