VALIANT SENTINEL was founded by guitarist and composer Dimitris Skodras, who is also the creator of the band’s music, while for the release of the first album he has taken over both bass and keyboards. Next to him, on vocals, we meet Swedish Rob Lundgren, also known from his participation in Mentalist among others.
Valiant Sentinel play power metal with some epic metal aspects. The first self-titled album was released on CD in April 2022 by No Remorse Records and features guest appearances by well-known metal singers such as Tim ”Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth) and Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire ).
Valiant Sentinel is currently working on their second album, with an initial target of a late 2023 release.
In April of 2022 they released the homonymous debut album by No Remorse Records. In this album is included the single “King In The North” (feat. Tim “Ripper” Owens).
Rock duo Janet Gardner and Justin James announce their brand new album, entitled No Strings, which will be available through Pavement Entertainment on June 9, 2023, to the US and Canada. Audiences outside of North America can pick up the album through Frontiers Music. To give fans a taste of what’s to come, the song “Don’t Turn Me Away” is available now on all streaming platforms.
No Strings is the follow-up to the 2020 record, Synergy. In the two years since the release of Synergy, Gardner and James went to work crafting their most exciting and memorable release to date.
Gardner says, “Justin’s and my work flow has become so effortless that the creative process never gets bogged down in the technical aspects until it comes time to mix and master. Justin’s determination to bring this album to the next level, sonically, has had the biggest impact on this release.”
James says, “I’m so proud of what Janet and I have created with No Strings. From the first chord recorded to the last note sung, No Strings is a piece of who we are.”
The track listing for No Strings is as follows:
I’m Living Free
Turn the Page
85
No Strings
Don’t Turn Me Away
Set Me Free
Hold On to You
Into the Night
I’m Not Sorry
You’ll See
She Floats Away
Drink
Known for being the lead vocalist of the legendary female rock band, Vixen, Janet Gardner’s powerful vocals propelled Vixen to the top of the Billboard charts with crossover hits “Edge of a Broken Heart” and “Cryin’.” Justin James has worked as a guitarist/songwriter/producer with members of Staind, Collective Soul, and Tyketto. Together, Gardner and James have penned a collection of emotionally charged songs with gritty grooves, infectious hooks, and inspired lyrics that merge hard rock influences from the last four decades.
None So Vile was founded in 2021 and consists of Alexander Sepulveda (vocals), Josh Ruiz (drums), Alex Garcia (guitar) and Rodrigo Meza (guitar). A product of both NorCal and SoCal artists, they merge sounds and styles from both places to create a unique brand of rock music. With influences ranging from Tech Death to J-Pop and a look to match, the band is all about painting its own picture with a diverse palette. Their debut single 714 and its accompanying music video release on March 17th.
CT native guitar virtuoso and super shredder JOEY CONCEPCION has just released his brand new full length solo album Divine Technical Machine on Mindsnap Music/Combat Records and it’s a musical masterpiece. The album is now available worldwide on all major platforms! The album was mixed and produced by Joey Concepcion and mastered by Nicky Bellmore at Dexter’s Lab Recroding.
“I am excited and relieved all in one to finally have a killer home for my new music. Not only am I good friends with one of the main owners of Mindsnap Music, (Opus, one of my former bandmates), but I trust their team dearly. I also know they’ll work hard to help get my music out to the masses so it can be heard. A lot of time, effort, blood, sweat, tears, and finances have gone into making my new record! Hope you guys enjoy it,” says Joey Concepcion (Solo Artist/Guitarist).
Check out the single and video for “Giant Spider Attack On The City”
Anyone into heavy guitar driven music will appreciate this album. Like most solo guitarist albums, it’s not just one giant solo or non-stop noodling, there are great melodies within the songs too. Joey C. can not only play guitar like a monster with his abilities being put side by side like some of the guitar greats of past and present, but he is also super humble. The album features well known guitar gurus and some of his personal heroes like Christopher Amott, Jeff Loomis, Marc Rizzo, and more.
“Joey C’s songs are full of memorable hooks and I really like the controlled dissonance he’s using in several of these songs. With chops to spare I believe he is somewhat of an Evil Satriani. The band here is intense as well. The drums are perfectly executed and compliment and telegraph the changes in the songs. A must hear for any heavy edge guitarists and drummers out there,” says Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth/Kings of Thrash/Ohm guitarist).
Metal heads & guitar lovers… Do not sleep on this album!
Joey Concepcion has toured in Europe playing guitar for Dark Tranquility, and has filled in for Arch Enemy on guitar, toured and played with Jasta of Hatebreed, Armageddon with Chris Amontt, The Absence, Once Human, Sanctuary, and Dead By Wednesday. He has also played on albums with Lost Symphony sharing solos with Marty Friedman, Jeff Loomis, Jimi Bell, and many more amazing and legendary guitarists!
Joey C. has also played major festivals all over the world such as Loud Park Japan, Summer Breeze Germany, Reload Festival Germany, and Alcatrazz Festival Belgium, to name a few.
Joey Concepcion is also endorsed by Jackson Guitars, Dimarzio Pickups, D’Addario Strings, & Dunlop.
Former labels include, Century Media, EMP Label Group, M-Theory Audio and Listenable Records.
Divine Technical Machine Tracklisting:
Introduction
Anomaly Enterprize w/ guest Jeff Loomis
Awake in Dream w/ guest Christopher Amott
Blistered
Crucified
Giant Spider Attack on the City w/ guest Opus & Family
Italy’s melodic death metal powerhouse EMBRYO have unleashed their fifth album “A Vivid Shade on Misery”, which features the pummeling drumming force of George Kollias (Nile) whom the band recruited for the full-length’s recording.
“A Vivid Shade on Misery” follows the band’s 2017’s “A Step Beyond Divinity” (Art Gates Records), 2015’s Self-Titled (logic(il)logic Records) that featured Fleshgod Apocalypse’s drummer Francesco Paoli, 2010’s “No God Slave” and their 2006 debut “Chaotic Age”.
Embryo began writing their fifth offering in 2020 with George Kollias and entered the Domination Studio in July 2021 with producer Simone Mularoni, and engineer Simone Bertozzi.
Monolithic, intense, powerful, technical, and melodic this new album features eight brand new tracks and is another concept album like its predecessor “A Step Beyond Divinity”. The band is inspired by historical Italian figures of the Renaissance era and their tormented lives, their absolute genius, and the gifts they gave to the world. While the previous album “A Step Beyond Divinity” was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci, this new work is totally inspired by Michelangelo Merisi alias Caravaggio, an Italian painter active in Rome for most of his artistic life. Overall, fans will find this album has the “Embryo” matrix. It will be a more direct record and its songs make up a pattern that takes the listener on a journey through torments and anxieties.”
“For this album, we decided on the track list in the studio, after listening to the completed record all together several times; our producer Simone Mularoni also helped us in this choice. The new album has eight tracks and eight tracks were thought to talk about the “story”. A few less than the previous “A Step Beyond Divinity,” but we are sure that the fans will have the right time to enjoy it musically and lyrically. We want to have listeners dive into our world by giving them brutal and atmospheric music melted together in the way we love to do plus having Kollias drum on this new album, one of the best drummers in the world, is just an absolute honour.” adds the band.
From the band’s first album “Chaotic Age” (2006) to today, Embryo‘s music has evolved over the years. On the first record, they were more brutal and messier, now their compositions are much more “thought out” and brilliant. If they had to use one word to describe their compositional evolution they would say “sharp”.
In addition to the release of “A Vivid Shade on Misery”, the band is unveiling their next music video for the track “Pride”, a real kick-in-the-face assault for fans to enjoy.
Recommended for fans of Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Death, and Dimmu Borgir, Embryo’s “A Vivid Shade on Misery” is now available as of March 17th, 2023 via Rockshots Records.
A Vivid Shade On Misery album credits: The album was recorded in July 2021 @ Domination Studio – San Marino Technicians: Simone Mularoni, Simone Bertozzi. Mixed and Mastered by Simone Mularoni. Drums recorded @ George Kollias Studio
French Modern Power Metallers ASYLUM PYRE have released the official music video for “There, I could Die”. A mid-tempo track among the most grandiloquents of our career. Seemingly light verses leading to a feelingful and massive chorus referring to the vastness of the plains of Mother Earth. So raise your fist and sing Fighters! I will lead you to victory. For the Earth!
Band comments:
“First intended to be on another project, we realize it totally fits with our style and atmosphere. After a discussion with Alyes Bouchoucha (ex-Myrath) we reworked on the song to make it more efficient ! :)”
Watch “There, I could Die” on band’s official Youtube channel here:
ASYLUM PYRE set March 24th, 2023 as the international release date for their highly anticipated 5th full-length album “Call Me Inhuman (The Sun – The Fight – part 5)”!
Band comments: “This 5th book of our adventure is the logical follow-up to the successful “N°4” But even catchier! Both softer and harder while still exploring new horizons.
Follow Oxy, Jae, Wik, Hed and Kas in their new musical adventure.
Distributed through Season Of Mist, the cover is the art of Mr Mickey Mythrid Art”
A wind of change over the metal sphere. Power, melody, emotions. A perfect mix of modern and traditional metal led by an extraordinary lead vocalist allied with an unbelievable variety in atmospheres.
Asylum Pyre plays each song as if it were the last, as if its life was on trial. A rare intensity and choruses that will all stick to your head.
Add to this a whole pre-apocalyptical universe in which each band member plays a double-game character and you’ve got an intense and unforgettable artistic experience!
In 2023, Asylum Pyre releases its 5th album since 2009 – mastered by Mika Jussila
In 2019, Asylum Pyre releases the Album N°04 that has had Several Charts entries
Asylum Pyre has toured and played in Europe with Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, Demons & Wizards, Xandria, Stream Of Passion, Myrath, Doro, Poets Of The Fall…
Asylum Pyre has a real musical identity: power; melody, modern loops, mixing traditional and modern styles plus 2 voices: lead female singer (Also singing in The experiment N°Q a side-project of Therion members) and additional male vocals)
Asylum Pyre was founded by its bandleader, Johann Cadot, who has now developed a real concept (story/visual) placed in a pre-apocalyptic world. A Green Manifesto.
Chief Shock Video
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
Ads
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 ) 