DISTORTED REFLECTION are really pleased and proud to announce that Ross Friedman will be the guest guitarist for the upcoming debut album! The legendary American metal guitarist will perform the solo for the sixth song “Cassandra” and this will also be the third single and lyric video out of the band’s debut album \m/ DOOM RULES ETERNALLY!!!
The album “Doom Rules Eternally” will also feature two other important guests! The iconic Greek rock guitarist Giannis Drolapas will perform the solo for the final song “The Eternal Gate” and Nicholas Leptos (Arrayan Path, Warlord), one of the very best metal singers in Cyprus and mother Greece, will perform the vocals for the opening song “Mr. Snake”.
The recording, the mixing and the mastering for the first DISTORTED REFLECTION album will be completed this summer. Right after this, the band will reveal the label that will release the work and the 3 lyric videos featuring these great guests. Stay tuned for more updates.
GUESTS: Giannis Drolapas: Guitar Solo on “The Eternal Gate” Ross Friedman: Guitar Solo on “Cassandra” Nicholas Leptos: Vocals on “Mr. Snake”
Cover Artwork, CD Artwork and Logo Artwork by Tomas Arfert Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Vangelis Yalamas at Fragile Studio Drums Recorded and Edited by Dionisis Christodoulatos at CFN Recordings Studio
Connecticut, US melodic death / doom metal band FIRES IN THE DISTANCE have today shared their new single and an accompanying visualizer, Idiopathic Despair. Idiopathic Despair is the third track to be taken from FIRES IN THE DISTANCE‘s upcoming second album, Air Not Meant For Us, and is one of the sophomore album’s more introspective tracks. Air Not Meant For Us due for release on April 28 via Prosthetic Records.
Speaking on the single release Yegor Savonin (composition, guitars, programming, lyrics) comments: “Idiopathic Despair is one of the most powerful and sinister tracks from Air Not Meant For Us, and also serves as the record’s epilogue. As a deeply personal segment, the song covers introspection into some of the most brutal and debilitating aspects of living with chronic depression, and depicts interior collisions with something that cannot always be expected or controlled.”
On their second album, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE further expand on their musical foundations of wistful melodicism, crushingly heavy guitar work and intricate atmospherics. Across Air Not Meant For Us’ six tracks, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE tie together intensely personal ruminations on mental health and themes of existentialism in the form of mortality salience, without losing sight of the importance of perseverance.
Teaming up with Salt Lake City producer Randy Slaugh, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s chief songwriter Yegor Savonin (composition, guitars, programming, lyrics) sought to reach even greater dynamics within the band’s core sound of melodic death and doom metal. With live orchestration in the form of violas, violins, cellos, as well as piano work, proving to be an incredibly fruitful collaborative process for both band and producer.
Air Not Meant For Us marks the first time the band have recorded with new drummer, Jordan Rippe, who delivers his own wide range of ornate work and feeling to the group’s established sound. Whilst drums for the album were recorded at the historic Power Station New England, the rest of the instruments were tracked at Studio Wormwood in North Carolina with returning producer, Dave Kaminsky, who handled recording and mixing in both studios.
In addition to the collaboration with Randy Slaugh, the album also features a guest appearance from Burial in the Sky guitarist James Tomedi on instrumental track Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves, who’s deft fretwork adds an additional layer of dynamic sheen.
Kristian Grimaldi’s thunderous vocal delivery compliments the album’s composition strongly and projects the songs to a greater level of formidability. The record is rounded out by Craig Breitsprecher’s complex and serpentine bass work which weave throughout the LP with an imperative sense of cohesion.
Seeking to retain aesthetic continuity, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE once again reached out to Caelan Stokkermans for the album’s art and layout, which masterfully conveys Air Not Meant For Us’ emotional core. With a runtime of 51 minutes across six songs, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s sophomore effort is a melodic doom and death metal odyssey in both artistic vision and sound.
Air Not Meant For Us tracklist: 1. Harbingers 2. Wisdom of the Falling Leaves 3. Crumbling Pillars of a Tranquil Mind 4. Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves 5. Psalm of the Merciless 6. Idiopathic Despair
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE is: Yegor Savonin – composition, guitars, programming, lyrics Craig Breitsprecher – bass, vocals Kristian Grimaldi – guitars, vocals Jordan Rippe – drums
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.
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 