Desertfest Berlin has announced the first batch of live acts for its 2024-edition, and adds AMENRA, OSEES, ACID KING, BRANT BJORK TRIO, TAMIKREST, PIGSPIGSPIGSPIGSPIGSPIGSPIGS, MONKEY3, SIENA ROOT, DŸSE, DIRTY SOUND MAGNET, EARTH TONGUE, THRONEHAMMER, FULL EARTH, PRAISE THE PLAGUE and NEÀNDER, with many more, high class bands to be revealed soon!
Desertfest Berlin will take place between May 24 – 26, 2024 at Columbiahalle and Columbia Theater. Tickets are now on sale at: www.desertfest-tickets.de
Creating epic symphonic fantasy power metal combined with classical music, including choir, renaissance, and baroque elements, Finland’s CHAMELION,will be unveiling their debut album “Legends & Lores” on December 8th, 2023 on Rockshots Records.
Over the years they have released a few demos with various lineups. They now have a solid quintet of musicians that features founder keyboardist Marco Sneck, Tomi Viiltola (Vocals), Marco Sneck (Keyboards), Jari Satta (Guitars), Jukka Jokikokko (Bass) and Janne Kusmin (Drums).
Recorded in various studios and mixed by a legendary Tampere-based power metal mixer Jussi Kulomaa. Fans can hit the play button, and close their eyes to dive into a fantasy world where might and magic rules.
“It’s is pure Fantasy Metal. The album is meant to be heard from beginning to end, as all the tracks are lyrically entwined into a chronologically advancing story. There are heroes, elves, magical quests, and other fantasy elements to get listeners all inspired! It is 55 minutes of adventurous heavy metal.” says Marco Sneck.
Inviting fans last month on the band’s first quest with the track “The Shadowleader” (https://youtu.be/y8M3o1j3amw), they are ready to tell their next adventure with their first song ever written and the album’s second single, “Hero’s Tale”.
“It’s a faster one and contains for example fast double bass drumming, a guitar solo, victorious chorus, and epic choir parts to name some elements of what you hear. Lyrically it’s a tale about the album’s main character, fighting for the good guys. This is what our fantasy metal is all about!” adds Sneck.
Recommended for fans of Rhapsody, Twilight Force, Symphony X, Dragonland, and Gloryhammer, CHAMELION‘s fantasy album “Legends & Lores” is due out on December 8, 2023 from Rockshots Records and is available for pre-order at https://bit.ly/ChamelionCD.
Track Listing I. THE CONQUEST – 2:11 II. HERO’S TALE – 5:14 III. THE SHADOWLEADER – 5:23 IV. FAITH AND STEEL – 6:15 V. THE QUEST – 6:01 VI. THE DEMONIC CREATURES OF THE NIGHT – 5:10 VII. THE HAMMER OF THE GODS´ MIGHT – 6:19 VIII. THE KEEPER OF THE HEART – 3:52 IX. THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS – 3:50 X. GLORIOUS DAWN – 10:02 Album Length: 54:23
Album Credits: Production, music, lyrics & arrangements by Marco Sneck Mixed by Jussi Kulomaa Mastered by Joni Borodavkin Recorded by Chamelion, Mika Pohjola & Soundmix, Jari Tuomainen & Studio Sound Choir & backing vocals by Riitu & Jake Ronkainen, recorded by Jake Ronkainen Additional bass on track 3 played & recorded by Riku Kyllönen Narration on track 10 by Marco Sneck Additional choir & backing vocals by Niina & Marco Sneck Band logo by Nicolás Oliveros Band photos by Sami Kettunen / kuvauksellistavaloa.fi Booklet artwork by Nicolás Oliveros
Chamelion is: Tomi Viiltola – Vocals Marco Sneck – Keyboards Jari Satta – Guitars Jukka Jokikokko – Bass Janne Kusmin – Drums
The new live album, Die In Fire – Live In Hell, by ruthless Swedish black metal collective WATAIN is out today through Nuclear Blast Records.
After 25 years of madness and mayhem that manifested in seven studio albums, WATAIN‘s intense and much talked-about live rituals remain in a league of their own. Experience the raw power and fiery precision captured perfectly on this live recording from a sold out show that took place in October 2022 in Stockholm, and features fan favourites from albums such as Casus Luciferi, Lawless Darkness, The Wild Hunt, Trident Wolf Eclipse and of course the band’s latest offering, The Agony And Ecstasy of Watain, as well as the BATHORY cover ‘The Return Of Darkness And Evil’. The audio was recorded by Jamie Elton and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio.
With all artwork created by vocalist and front man Erik Danielsson, Die in Fire – Live in Hell is not only a sonic but also a visual reflection of WATAIN’s touring cycle for The Agony & Ecstasy of Watain, and beyond that a symbol of gratitude for their loyal followers worldwide! Die in Fire – Live in Hell is a very personal release dedicated to all those who have joined WATAIN on their path of lawless black metal darkness during the past 25 years.
Erik Danielsson (vocals) commented: ”With the videos for the live album we have attempted to convey at least a fraction of the primal psychedelic malevolence that possess us when we perform. The majority of the footage is from the same concert in Stockholm at which the album was recorded. It was then slaughtered and remolded by the skilled and manic artists credited at the end of the video. Turn off your mind, shut out the modern world and dissappear into these analogue nightmare visions of darkness and ecstasy.”
Coinciding with the release, WATAIN will play two very special anniversary shows at UKK in their hometown Uppsala on Friday, November 3rd and Saturday, November 4th. The first night was sold out within minutes, so a second one was added and very few tickets are still available here: https://secure.tickster.com/sv/8ttcd34a5687cc9/selectproductgroup
The wait is over! New York death metal legends SUFFOCATION unleash their ninth full-length album Hymns From The Apocrypha via Nuclear Blast.
The band offers fans the third track ‘Delusions of Mortality’ which combines progressive melodies and Ricky Myer’s monstrous vocals. Check out the 3D lyric video created by Tamara of Aimed & Framed.
SUFFOCATION’s Ricky Myers comments, “‘Delusions of Mortality’ is the third single off our new album HYMNS FROM THE APOCRYPHA. The lyrical content pertains to these dimensional beings granting us ancient scriptures scribed of our true origin, purpose, and the reason why humanity was created. Revealing knowledge that is too much for man to comprehend but at the same time, it allows mankind to remove the veil and see the truth. This existence is nothing but a delusion.”
SUFFOCATION took about a month and a half to record Hymns from the Apocrypha. They holed up at Hobbs and Boyer’s InLine Studio in Long Island. The duo engineered and co-produced with Christian Donaldson (BENEATH THE MASSACRE, INGESTED), who was also re-enlisted to mix and master, with Dominic Grimard (CRYPTOPSY, SHADOW OF INTENT) assisting. With stunning cover art by Greek illustrator Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design (VOMITORY, THE CROWN), Hymns from the Apocrypha is characteristically SUFFOCATION. It’s uncompromisingly brutal, artistically gutsy, and aurally heavy. Clearly, SUFFOCATION, as they head into their 35th Anniversary, are at the peak of their potential. Death metal or die!
In addition, SUFFOCATION announced their extensive ‘Hymns From The Apocrypha European Tour 2024’ with SANGUISUGABOGG, ENTERPRISE EARTH, and ORGANECTOMY. The 31-date trek kicks off on January 24th in Dortmund and will make stops in Barcelona, Vienna, and Copenhagen before concluding in Antwerp on February 25th.
Terrance Hobbs states, “We’re beyond excited to see you all again for the ‘Hymns From The Apocrypha European Tour 2024’. We have a STACKED lineup for this one featuring the awesome SANGUISUSIBOGG, our friends ENTERPRISE EARTH, and the crushing ORGANECTOMY!! We’re coming to mash you into the dirt and drop some serious American Death Metal for your ears – hope to see all you death metal slam-infested freaks in the pit!”
Confirmed dates for SUFFOCATION’s ‘Hymns From The Apocrypha European Tour 2024’ are: 26.01.24 DE Dortmund – Junkyard 27.01.24 FR Paris – Petit Bain 28.01.24 FR Toulouse – Le Rex 29.01.24 ES Bilbao – Stage Live 30.01.24 ES Madrid – Mon Live 31.01.24 ES Barcelona – Salamandra 01.02.24 FR Lyon – MJC Ô Totem 02.02.24 CH Aarau – KiFF 03.02.24 IT Milan – Legend Club 04.02.24 AT Salzburg – Rockhouse 05.02.24 HU Budapest – Dürer Kert 06.02.24 AT Vienna – Viper Room 07.02.24 DE Munich – Backstage 08.02.24 DE Karlsruhe – Die Stadtmitte 09.02.24 DE Frankfurt – Das Bett 10.02.24 NL Drachten – Drachten Deathfest 11.02.24 DE Hannover – Faust 12.02.24 DK Copenhagen – Pumpehuset 13.02.24 DE Hamburg – Logo 14.02.24 PL Poznań – 2Progi 15.02.24 CZ Prague – Futurum 16.02.24 DE Chemnitz – AJZ 17.02.24 DE Berlin – Hole44 18.02.24 NL Tilburg – Poppodium 013 19.02.24 UK Bristol – The Fleece 20.02.24 UK Birmingham – Asylum 21.02.24 UK Glasgow – Slay 22.02.24 UK Manchester – Club Academy 23.02.24 UK London – O2 Academy Islington 24.02.24 UK Southampton – The Loft 25.02.24 BE Antwerp – Zappa
Swedish symphonic extreme metal act ZORNHEYM, founded and led by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Zorn (ex-DARK FUNERAL / ex-Devian), has released its brand new EP, “The Forgotten Inmates”. This acoustic EP marks the next chapter in the band’s haunting musical journey. Following the success of their debut album, “Where Hatred Dwells and Darkness Reigns”, which introduced listeners to the band’s terrifying concept of a mental institution and its prisoners, ZORNHEYM continued their narrative-driven approach with their 2021 full-length record, “The Zornheim Sleep Experiment”. Now, with “The Forgotten Inmates,” the band delves deeper into their dark universe!
The EP features a folk version of the track “Slumber Comes in Time,” accompanied by a brand new music video. ZORNHEYM‘s unique take on this song showcases their ability to blend their powerful symphonic elements with folk influences. The main melody, derived from an original Swedish folk song, sets the tone for a chilling experience that immerses listeners in the band’s twisted world.
Speaking about the acoustic rendition of “Slumber Comes in Time”, ZORNHEYM shared, “We wanted to arrange it in a folk style. The main melody for the song is taken from an original Swedish folk song, so we felt it suitable to rewrite the lyrics in Swedish as well to really lean into the source.“
ZORNHEYM, however, do not only represent musical talent but also strong visual art that has always surrounded their works, as both albums ofthe band are accompanied by a stunning graphic novel, in which each chapter takes a closer look at the different inmates of the ZORNHEYM asylum. While the album’s lyrics and the session notes in the booklet served as two parts of the complete story, with the release of “The Forgotten Inmates” ZORNHEYM now deliver the final piece of the puzzle, as the EP comes along with the official graphic novel for the band’s latest album “The Zornheim Sleep Experiment”, and you will follow Dr. Bettelheim from when he is putting the final touches on his statement of intent till the horrific ending of the experiment. As on their debut “Where Hatred Dwells and Darkness Reigns” ZORNHEYM have again collaborated with the super talented Finnish artist Anu Saari, who has brought the story to life with her amazing painting skills!
“The Forgotten Inmates” was recorded at Wing Studios. Mix and master by Sverker Widgren. The EP was produced by Sverker Widgren & Zorn. Artwork by Anu Saari. “The Forgotten Inmates” is available for purchase at THIS LOCATION
December 1, 2023 will see US metal heavy weights IMMORTAL GUARDIAN release their forthcoming, third studio album, titled “Unite And Conquer”. The album will available as Jewel Case CD, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats, exclusively released in Europe via Massacre Records, to pre-order your copy visit:https://lnk.to/ uniteandconquer
After the band just recently shared a first song, “Rise Of The Phoenix”, today, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN are premiering a music video for their album title track! From a lyrical perspective, the song “expresses a poignant commentary on the modern age’s challenges, where our emotions are dulled by the constant presence of screens and technology. It questions our current state, yearning for a return to simpler times when dreams and peace were paramount,” the band reveals. “The repeated call to go back to that idyllic era underscores the desire for unity and conquering divisions in a world marked by mistrust and conflict. The lyrics encourage us to reflect on the consequences of our digital age and long for a return to a more genuine, harmonious existence.
We definitely took a new direction trying new grooves and riffs that we have never jammed before together. At the same time, after jamming for dozens of times together, we learned that we have a signature sound.”
With “Unite And Conquer”, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN took new direction with their writing process and overall sound on the album. While trying new things, they also kept a taste of their classic sound in the process. This opus showcases a revolutionary sound, fusing heavier and more melodic elements into their “Super Metal” tapestry. IMMORTAL GUARDIAN‘s signature “Super Metal” sound is an exploration of the metal spectrum, seamlessly blending elements of progressive, power, tech-death, and symphonic shred.
During the making of this album, all band members were going through some crazy experiences in their lives, that reflects in the music, according to Gabriel Guardian: “Like we did during our ‘Psychosomatic’ album, we were writing these songs in real-time as we lived through these major events in the world and in our personal lives”, he states.
“Unite And Conquer” lyrically traverses a multifaceted emotional journey from introspection and self-discovery that passionately calls for unity and change. Vocalist Carlos Zema adds: “The poetic verses entwine seamlessly with the captivating melodies, delivering a musical narrative that resonates with the listener on a profound level, leaving an indelible mark on the heart and soul. With a simple message: This is the time to ‘Unite and Conquer’.”
The album was mixed and mastered by Joshua Lopez at Widowmaker Studios, and features guest appearances by Vicky Psarakis (The Agonist) and Primal Fear’s Ralf Scheepers. The artwork was created by Masiha Fattahi.
Slated for a release, exclusively in Europe via Massacre Records, on December 1, 2023, the pre-sale of “Unite And Conquer” is available at THIS LOCATION!
CD Track listing:
Ozona
Echoes
Roots Run Deep (Feat. Ralf Scheepers)
Perfect Person
Divided We Fall
Lost In The Darkness (Feat. Vicky Psarakis)
Southern Rain
Unite And Conquer
Un Dia A La Vez
Rise Of The Phoenix (Bonus Track)
IMMORTAL GUARDIAN is: Carlos Zema – Lead Vocals Gabriel Guardian – Guitar, Keyboard, Backing Vocals Joshua Lopez – Bass Justin Piedimonte – 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
