INFECTION CODE Share ‘The Colour Out Of Space’ Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 10, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Italian death-thrashers INFECTION CODE return today with a blistering single, “The Colour Out Of Space“, from their ninth full-length album “Sulphur”, due out November 17th 2023 via Time To Kill Records. Watch the video at THIS LOCATION.

“’The Color Out Of Space’ is the fourth song we wrote for the album. It took us a long time to complete it. We threw away many versions before coming up with the final one, as we thought we would use the main riff in the chorus so as to have the typical verse-bridge-chorus song structure. Which is not common for our way of composing. It is a very powerful song, straightforward and with many references to classic melodic death metal.
The lyrics are a tribute to the famous short story by the master H.P. Lovecraft. We were inspired by this story and eventually ended up writing a personal reflection on the current state of our society which seems to be infected by an invisible entity from a distant world, here to destroy all sorts of individualism and make people completely dazed. The video was conceived with the help of director Paolo Gambaudo”.

Pre-orders: https://timetokillrecords.com/collections/infection-code

The band is back after one year from their previous effort,“Alea Iacta Est”, with a new sound and a new sonic landscape to explore. “Sulphur” is the first album with the new line-up and the first written by new guitarist Chris, who joined the band in 2021.

Today, INFECTION CODE focuses on manifesting crushing riffs laced with visceral grooves that echo somber melodies. Eschewing all trends, the album takes every disparate element that INFECTION CODE previously employed, such as industrial tones, more prominent death and thrash metal influences, and amplifies them, while juxtaposing each next to each other, with genuinely unpredictable and exciting consequences. The tracklist also includes a cover version of AT THE GATES’ masterpiece, “Blinded By Fear”.

Lyrically, the album is based on some sci-fi and horror novels, and stories used as allegories to introduce personal reflections on the decline of human civilization. The authors are Howard P. Lovecraft, Philip K. Dick, Ben Bova, Ray Bradbury, Dan Simmons and Valerio Evangelisti.

“Sulphur” was recorded, mixed and mastered at The Cat’s Cage Recording Studio by Francesco Salvadeo.

The artwork and the cover have been created by Simone Strige of STRX Art.

Tracklist:

01. Maze Of Death
02. The Colour Out Of Space
03. Evil Side Of Mercy
04. Deleted Error
05. Old Viral Order
06. Protoplasm Hope
07. Something Wicked This Way Comes
08. Blinded By Fear
09. Lurking Creepy Love

More information at
https://infectioncode1.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/infectioncode
https://www.instagram.com/infection_code_official/

Samurai Metallers RYUJIN Release ‘The Rainbow Song’, Feat. Matthew Kiichi Heafy

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 10, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Litch]

Formed in 2011 as Gyze, Samurai Metal band RYUJIN deftly deliver heavy metal and blazing guitar wizardry from Japan with their recently announced upcoming self-titled album, RYUJIN, out January 12, 2024 via Napalm Records! Blending both Japanese and English lyricism and featuring production and several guest features by Matthew Kiichi Heafy (Trivium), the band’s high speed riffs and breakneck guitar descents pair with traditional Japanese elements, delivering a sound influenced by everything from ancient orchestral Gagaku to even modern anime themes.

Following up on the release of the album’s previously released first single,“Raijin & Fujin”, the band has just released another new single, entitled “The Rainbow Song”. Like their first single, the melodic power metal track features an essential contribution from aforementioned album guest Matthew Kiichi Heafy. Check out the new track alongside a brand new music video below.

RYUJIN mastermind Ryoji Shinomoto says about the new single:
“We are very proud of this song. The song is a fusion of Japanese 90s anime songs and power metal. We all absolutely love it! The video features nature footage of my hometown, Hokkaido, and Ainu tribal costumes, as I am very proud of the beautiful nature we have here. Matt arranged the lyrics, which were originally written about trout, and he also sings the chorus with me! Also, it’s the first song without growls and you can also hear my first high tone shout before my solo!“

Featured guest Matthew Kiichi Heafy adds:
“RYUJIN is a band who will take over the world. ‘The Rainbow Song’ is a track that I believe will bridge the gap, taking a whole new slew of fans to become RYUJIN-devotees. You’ll find yourself singing along by the first listen.”

After releasing four highly acclaimed albums and appearing at major festivals worldwide, RYUJIN have developed their own identity, expressed with accents of tasteful traditional Japanese instrumentation (i.e. Shamisen, Dragon Flute, Erhu, Taiko), and lead guitar god Ryoji Shinomoto’s incredible shredding technique and ripping vocals!

RYUJIN features production by Matthew Kiichi Heafy and mixing/mastering by Mark Lewis, with guest appearances by Heafy (vocals and conducting on various tracks) and Mukai Wataru of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra (cello). Blending both Japanese and English lyricism, RYUJIN’s tracks feature titles based on the words of the Ainu people of Hokkaido (RYUJIN’s home region), as well as famous Japanese paintings and idioms.

Pre-Order RYUJIN HERE

Opening instrumental track “Hajimari” sets an ominous stage for blistering burner “Gekokujo” – a tastefully thrash-ified death metal riff-fest colliding with expressive folk-inspired passages and head-spinning technique. Ryoji’s blazing leads are met instantly with the peerless skills of drummer Shuji Shinomoto and bassist Aruta Watanabe. First single “Raijin & Fujin” is an epic power metal storm featuring guest vocal contributions from Matthew Kiichi Heafy, shifting into a swirling tornado of rattling double bass and catapulting solos, while “The Rainbow Song” also features soaring clean vocals by Heafy blended between modern melodic heavy metal and power metal innovation. Tracks like “Dragon, Fly Free” and “Kunnecup” invite the listener to sing-along with RYUJIN as they paint musical canvases of adventure and positivity. “Scream of the Dragon” returns to extreme influences amid uplifting choruses and a story blending English and Japanese lyrics, before “Gekirin” ventures into darker death metal influences – cascading into nautically-inspired melodies (as “Ryujin” is a dragon god of the sea in Japanese mythology, these oceanic musical themes weave seamlessly throughout the album).

The album nears the end with three heart-gripping, primarily Japanese-language opuses – the rock-opera-like ballad “Saigo No Hoshi”, the powerfully victorious and traditionally-inspired “Ryujin” and a cover of Linked Horizon’s “Guren No Yumiya” – widely known as an opening theme of popular anime series Attack On Titan. The album finishes with a bonus English-language version of “Saigo No Hoshi”, with vocals once again performed by Matthew Kiichi Heafy.

RYUJIN illustrates an exotic sonic experience that will transport music lovers to a world of fantastic adventure and technical extravagance!

RYUJIN track listing:
1. Hajimari
2. Gekokujo
3. Dragon, Fly Free
4. Raijin & Fujin
5. The Rainbow Song
6. Kunnecup
7. Scream of the Dragon
8. Gekirin
9. Saigo No Hoshi
10. Ryujin
11. Guren No Yumiya
12. Saigo No Hoshi (feat. Matthew K. Heafy) (Single Edit)

Catch RYUJIN on tour with PAIN in Europe now! See below for all remaining tour dates:

PAIN w/ RYUJIN in Europe:
31.10.2023: Sofia, BG – Hristo Botev Hall
01.11.2023: Budapest, HU – Dürer Kert
02.11.2023: Krakow, PL – Kamienna12
03.11.2023: Vienna, AT – Simm City
04.11.2023: Munich, DE – Backstage
05.11.2023: Zlin, CZ – Masters of Rock Cafe
07.11.2023: Nuremberg, DE – Hirsch
08.11.2023: Frankfurt, DE – Batschkapp
09.11.2023: Leipzig, DE – Hellraiser
10.11.2023: Hamburg, DE – Gruenspan
11.11.2023: Berlin, DE – Columbia Theater
12.11.2023: Stuttgart, DE – Im Wizemann

RYUJIN is:
Ryoji Shinomoto – Guitar, Vocals, Shamisen, Erhu, Dragon Flute & Orchestration
Shuji Shinomoto – Drums, Vocals
Aruta Watanabe – Bass, Vocals

RYUJIN online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

DUST BOLT Release New Single ‘Burning Pieces’: Fiery Mix of Thrash + Hard Rock Energy

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 10, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo: Niklas Niessner]

Germany is in the grip of a musical firestorm, and the name behind it is DUST BOLT! The four-piece strikes back with their brand new single, “Burning Pieces,” giving us an explosive taste of their upcoming album Sound & Fury, due out on February 23, 2024 via AFM Records (Pre-Order HERE!). But that’s not all – their new track is a wild blend of thrash metal and hard rock, making the speakers rumble and hearts race.

“Burning Pieces” is a powerful anthem that showcases DUST BOLT‘s unmistakable trademark: their boundless energy and intensity. With furious guitar riffs, thundering drums, and cutting vocals reminiscent of Corey Taylor, the band proves they are in their prime, and heavyweights like Metallica should start taking notice. “Burning Pieces” will carry you away and set you on a rock-induced high. Warning: Neck pain may be inevitable!

Frontman Lenny B. comments on the new single: “We’re bursting with excitement to present our brand-new single ‘Burning Pieces’ to you. This song is a statement: Dust Bolt is back and ready to ignite a musical fire, ready to compete with the big names. It’s an explosive mix of pure energy and passion, combining our thrash metal roots with melodic hard rock elements, and we hope that fans will be just as thrilled as we are.“

“Burning Pieces” is now available on all digital streaming services at https://dust-bolt.bfan.link/burning-pieces, the music video is premiering below.

Formed in 2007, DUST BOLT have been resolute and ruthless in their pursuit of metal glory over the last 16 years. Childhood friends with a collective passion for metal in all its various forms, the quartet have established themselves as one of Europe’s leading thrash metal bands.

Yet, Sound & Fury marks an album that refines and noisily redefines the DUST BOLT sound for a new era. Written during those isolated months of pandemic lockdown, the new record represents the peak of the band’s creativity, and a major leap forward in every department. The first DUST BOLT record to feature new bassist Tom Liebing, alongside Lenny Bruce, guitarist Florian Dehn and drummer Nico Remann, Sound & Fury grew from a long period of self-reflection that began when the world shut down.

“Sound and Fury was created during the probably darkest and most difficult time for the band.” DUST BOLT revealed. “First time in our lives, since we were kids, we were somehow separated from another and the dream we lived together seemed to stopped. It was during the pandemic days, when the band even decided to take a break from one another, when Flo came up with this beautiful piece of music – not knowing how he would channel and express our feelings, leading to LB putting some Dust Bolt unusual, but heartfelt vocals on it and having Nico introducing a disco beat to a metal song in the end.  We didn’t know what was happening – we just did it.  We did know, there’d be a million voices saying we can’t put this up on a Dust Bolt record. But more than that we knew „as long as we stick together, we can do anything the *** we want“ . Sound and Fury is a story about friendship, struggle & inner turmoil. SuF is a story about us. SuF is a different, open and honest Dust Bolt, sharing their emotion with you and your friends.”

Although still rooted in thrash and old school metal, the new record adds dazzling colour and diversity to the band’s trademark sound. With pummelling grooves, spine-tingling dynamics and a startling, part-melodic vocal performance from Lenny Bruce, with an analogue mix by Moritz Enders [Revolverheld, Silbermond], the new songs mark the beginning of a new era of DUST BOLT destruction. Simultaneously catchier than any previous record and grittier and heavier than before, Sound & Fury is the sound of a great band realising their full potential. Or as DUST BOLT states:

“This album marks the beginning of a new era for DUST BOLT. For Metal in & from Germany. This is just the beginning!”

Sound & Fury track listing:

  1. Leave Nothing Behind
  2. I Witness
  3. I am the One
  4. New Flame
  5. Burning Pieces
  6. Sound and Fury
  7. Love & Reality
  8. Bluedeep
  9. Disco Nnection
  10. You Make Me Feel (Nothing)
  11. Feel the Storm
  12. Little Stone

DUST BOLT Sound & Fury Tour 2024
(presented by EMP & Metal Hammer, Tickets: https://dustbolt.com/pages/tour-dates )

22.02.2024 (DE) München – Strom
23.02.2024 (DE) Köln – Helios 37
24.02.2024 (DE)Frankfurt – Nachtleben
25.02.2024 (DE) Erfurt – From Hell
27.02.2024 (DE) Berlin – Cassiopeia
28.02.2024 (DE) Hamburg – Bahnhof Pauli
29.02.2024 (DE) Hannover – Lux
01.03.2024 (DE) Bochum – Rockpalast
02.03.2024 (DE) CHAM – L.A.

DUST BOLT is:

Vocals / Guitar – Lenny Bruce
Guitar – Flo Dee
Bass – Exx Tom
Drums – Nico Rayman

For More Info Visit:
http://dustbolt.net
https://www.facebook.com/dustbolt
https://www.instagram.com/dustbolt_official
https://twitter.com/dustboltband
https://www.tiktok.com/@dustbolt
https://shop.afm-records.de/dustbolt

Exclusive Premiere for Finland: VANIR ‘Twisting The Knife’ Single + Lyric Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 10, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo by Natascha Dumbledear Allen

On the evening of 7 November, King Christian summoned many Swedish leaders to a private conference at the palace. At dusk on 8 November, Danish soldiers, with lanterns and torches, entered a great hall of the royal palace and imprisoned several noble guests. Later in the evening, even more of the king’s guests were imprisoned. The following day, 9 November, a council, headed by Archbishop Trolle, sentenced the proscribed to death for being heretics. At noon, the anti-unionist bishops of Skara and Strängnäs were led out into the great square and beheaded. Fourteen noblemen, three burgomasters, fourteen town councilors and about twenty common citizens of Stockholm were then hanged or beheaded. The executions continued throughout the following day. According to the chief executioner, Jörgen Homuth, 82 people were executed.

These are the historical facts behind “Twisting The Knife”, the first VANIR single from the upcoming new album of the Danish band. An aggressive and heavy offering, fully reflecting the violent nature of the lyrics.

Metal Shock Finland has a pleasure to premiere, for Finland, VANIR’s “Twisting The Knife” single + lyric video, enjoy it below!

Vanir is one of Denmark’s most prominent melodic death metal bands and has, since the band’s inception, released six full-length albums and has their seventh record ready to be out in early 2024.

Vanir has been around for more than ten years and has evolved a lot since the band’s beginning. With the last three records and now with their upcoming offering, Vanir shows its hard edge and catchy melodic death metal.

A new Vanir album will be released in early 2024.

Lineup:
Martin Rubini – vocals
Kirk Backarach – guitar
Michael Lundquist – guitar
Mikael Christensen – bass
Jon Elmquist Schmidt – drums
Stefan Dujardin - keyboards

Digital single: https://vanir.lnk.to/knife

More information at:
https://www.facebook.com/vanirband
https://www.instagram.com/vanirdenmark/
https://vanir.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6DCYYeX3Iqic6GnQTXM3n4
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vanir/427022932

MINISTRY Release Brand-New Track + Video for ‘Just Stop Oil’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 9, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Derick Smith

Corporate greed. Sharky politicians. Climate out-of-control. Questionable government interests. All of it comes to a head in Al Jourgensen’s latest diatribe against the system, ´Just Stop Oil´. 

The brand-new track – from MINISTRY’s upcoming 16th studio album HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES – is shared today alongside a visually stimulating music video that begs for action for the benefit of our collective future.  

Says Jourgensen of the track: “MINISTRY approves this message and the movement behind it. ENOUGH is ENOUGH!” 

´Just Stop Oil´ follows the release of earlier single ´Goddamn White Trash´ , both anchor tracks from HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES (out March 1, 2024 on Nuclear Blast Records) that give a preview of the state of mind of creator and band leader Al Jourgensenwho is cantankerous as ever about a f***ed up world ripe for a boot up its ass. Like always, he’s merely looking around at the same dumpster fire we all are, but he’s got a microphone and uses it well to rage on about the state of the world. 

Joined by MINISTRY’s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and LARD companion Jello Biafra and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY frontman Pepper Keenan.  

HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES will be available in three vinyl variants, a CD jewelcase and digital/streaming platforms. The vinyl variants include: green with yellow splatter (in stores everywhere); blue with pink splatter (nuclear blast exclusive); red with white splatter (band/tour exclusive). 

Pre-order HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES here: https://ministry.bfan.link/hftm

Tracklist for HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES:
B.D.E.
Goddamn White Trash* Just Stop Oil Aryan Embarrassment
TV Song 1/6 Edition
New Religion
It’s Not Pretty
Cult of Suffering*
Ricky’s Hand
 
*Featuring Eugene Hütz (Gogol Bordello) 
**Featuring Jello Biafra
***Featuring Pepper Keenan

MINISTRY will play the new songs live on a Spring 2024 North American tour, kicking off February 27, supported by Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly. 

ABOUT MINISTRY 

Born in 1981 in Chicago, MINISTRY has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, MINISTRY was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. MINISTRY’s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathy in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did MINISTRY, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), MINISTRY hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, MINISTRY has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, continuing to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album Moral Hygiene marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. MINISTRY’s 16th studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, will be released in early 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records. 

MINISTRY Online
Website: http://www.ministryband.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/WeAreMinistry
Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry

THE GEMS Unleash Energetic Third Single ‘P.S.Y.C.H.O’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 9, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[Photo credit: Gustaf Sandholm Andersson]

The most promising new rock band, THE GEMS, consisting of three ex-Thundermother members: incomparable vocalist Guernica Mancini, powerhouse drummer Emlee Johansson, and guitar and bass virtuoso Mona Lindgren, have released a new single, the energetic “P.S.Y.C.H.O”, cut from their upcoming debut album, Phoenix, out January 26, 2024 via Napalm Records! With Thundermother, THE GEMS reached #6 with their last two albums on the Official German Album Charts, and THE GEMS’ first singles have already gained impressive attention, with “Like A Phoenix” peaking at #2 on the German Rock Radio Airplay Charts.
 
THE GEMS’ extraordinary potential was proven right after the release of their very first standalone single, “Like A Phoenix”, in summer 2023. The single immediately landed at #2 on the German Rock Radio Airplay Charts and turned the heads of avid rock fans around the world. With their previous band, the members of THE GEMS took over stages at massive festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Sweden Rock Festival, and even toured with the mighty Scorpions, and the newly formed trio has already played their first shows, convincing audiences with their impressive live energy.
 
Check out the crazy official music video to “P.S.Y.C.H.O” below for another taste of THE GEMS’ upcoming debut album!
 
THE GEMS on “P.S.Y.C.H.O”:
“P.S.Y.C.H.O is a fast and fun party track, with a chorus that will drive you crazy in the most magnificent way. We’re all bound to bump into some energy vamps so why not propose a toast in their honor? And who begins a song with insane drum fills soaked in flanger? WE DO! Maybe we are the psychos ourselves?! Watch the music video to get some clues…”

Pre-Order Your Copy of Phoenix NOW

Captivating, chanting intro track “Aurora” allows vocalist Guernica Mancini’s distinctive, strong and bluesy vocals shine, and sets the scene before the catchy rock’n’roll anthem “Queens” roars as a celebration of feminine power. Standing up for oneself, fighting back and rising above are some of the main lyrical themes of Phoenix, which “Send Me To The Wolves” is an outstanding example of. The song’s storyline champions overcoming and not giving in to oppressors, before “Domino” takes THE GEMS’ grooviness to the level of legendary classic rock bands of the 70s. With emotional tracks like “Undiscovered Paths” and “Fruits Of My Labor”, THE GEMS bring significant depth and variety to the album, distancing themselves from their history. Stunning interlude “Maria’s Song”, featuring violinist Maria Jern, fades into the touching ballad “Ease Your Pain” – giving extra space to the exceptional guitar work of Mona “Demona” Lindgren. Following track “Running” shines as a surefire future hit with more impressive guitar work and Emlee Johansson’s hard-hitting drums, before the beautifully stripped-down acoustic version of “Like A Phoenix” – backed with acoustic guitar by producer Johan Randén – wraps up THE GEMS’ debut album. Phoenix was mastered by Plec Johansson (Soilwork, Hank von Hell, Firewind) and its artwork was created by ex-Thundermother member Giorgia Carteri (Soilwork, The Nightflight Orchestra).

It is clear that the seasoned musicians of THE GEMS won’t settle in the shadows of their prior successes. With their fresh, convincing debut offering, THE GEMS take a stand and leave the past behind. Make no mistake – with Phoenix, THE GEMS will conquer the international rock scene in a heartbeat.
 
THE GEMS on Phoenix:
“Phoenix marks the beginning, the rise of THE GEMS. This album takes you on a journey through one of our toughest times. Through this creative process we were able to really dig deep and let go of a lot of emotional baggage, and find true happiness in music again. The new found freedom our band has been given us shines through on this album. We couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve accomplished, and the true Rock n Roll Sisterhood and community we’ve built through these few months of our existence. Phoenix is the perfect album for anyone going through a tough time, having the rug pulled out under you and somehow finding the strength to rebuild. You’ll get the full range of emotions, masterfully produced by our dear friend Johan Randén, who we also wrote some of the songs with. 
 
We hope people will love Phoenix and really enjoy the epic ride this album will take you on.”

Tracklist Phoenix:
1          Aurora – Interlude
2          Queens
3          Send Me To The Wolves
4          Domino
5          Silver Tongue
6          Undiscovered Paths
7          Maria’s Song – Interlude
8          Ease Your Pain
9          Running
10        Renaissance – Interlude
11        Like A Phoenix
12        P.S.Y.C.H.O
13        Kiss it Goodbye
14        Force Of Nature
15        Fruits Of My Labor
16        Like A Phoenix – Acoustic Version

THE GEMS- are:
Guernica Mancini – Vocals
Emlee Johansson – Drums
Mona “Demona” Lindgren – Guitar, Bass
 
THE GEMS online:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
NAPALM RECORD