Finnish metal newcomer KOITOS released a third single “Virtaa” (eng.”Flows“), from the upcoming debut album. Song has more dynamics and it includes crushing riffs but also a delicate clean singing with a mellow piano.
“The upcoming album deals with loneliness from many different angles. But in this song not in such a traditional way. The narrator of the song hides his mistakes under a hard shell, which emerges as crappy behavior towards others. In the end, people disappear around the narrator and he’s left to lick his wounds in solitude,” describes the theme of the song by vocalist Matti Hiitti.
Koitos debut album will be released later in autumn. In addition to the composition and lyrics, the song was recorded and produced entirely by the band itself. The song was mixed and mastered by Rami Nykänen, who has previously worked with bands like One Morning Left and Balance Breach.
International death/funeral doom metal act MESMUR will be releasing their new album “Chthonic” on April 14th 2023 via Solitude Prod. (RUS) and Aesthetic Death (UK).
Today, the band premieres a brand new single, “Petroglyph“, at Grizzly Butts. Stream it HERE.
The album’s title is based on the Greek word for “underworld”, and where the band’s previous albums have explored themes of cosmic entropy and earthly apocalypse, “Chthonic” looks to the spirit world for its inspiration. Formed as a collection of paranormal horror tales, it speaks of fabled entities making contact through the veil of sleep, summoning prey to subterranean depths, or haunting a post apocalyptic landscape.
Musically, the album continues the trajectory that MESMUR have established through previous works. Featuring viola and cello performances from Brianne Vieira and guest organ from Kostas Panagiotou of UK funeral doom act Pantheist (for whom Jeremy and John of Mesmur recently contributed guitars and drums on their 2021 record “Closer to God”), “Chthonic” strikes a careful balance between melody and dissonance as it displays its haunted imagery. Crushing doom riffs are overlain with ethereal synths and cavernous vocals to build a dark and vivid atmosphere, and the intricate compositions utilize a narrative approach influenced as much by 70’s progressive rock as by extreme doom metal. Like the band’s previous two releases, the album features beautifully eerie and vibrant cover art from Ukrainian painter Vladislav Cadaversky.
Working in collaboration with Solitude Prod. (RUS) and Aesthetic Death (UK), “Chthonic” will be released initially on digi CD on 14th April 2023, with plans for a vinyl release to follow later.
Initially started in 2013 as a side project of Jeremy Lewis and John Devos (of progressive black metal act Dalla Nebbia), MESMUR is an international collection of musicians with a shared artistic goal to create immersive and unpredictable death/funeral doom metal. Dense, with vivid atmosphere that carries a constant sense of foreboding and unease, and with riffs and melodies that straddle the line between accessibility and obscurity, MESMUR‘s music draws inspiration from a diverse set of influences ranging from Esoteric and Ea to King Crimson and Univers Zero.
Today, dark metal outfit ELYSION is celebrating the release of their brand new studio album, entitled “Bring Out Your Dead”, via Massacre Records. The band’s new offering is available as CD Digipak, a limited LP Vinyl edition and Digital formats at THIS LOCATION!
In support of today’s record release, ELYSION has just premiered a new lyric video for the song “Eternity”!
The band comments: “Perhaps one of the deepest ELYSION songs so far. We like to use simple language and vocabulary when serious messages lie underneath, this becomes more obvious in the middle atmospheric part of “Eternity”. The futility of human existence, how fragile we really are, and flaws of our nature have always been matters of concern that our lyrics deal with. It is by far the darkest song on “Bring Out Your Dead” and, as far as compositions are concerned, one that brings new things to the table for us.”
Overwhelmed with emotions and melodies to share, the unexpected pandemic adds a veil of darkness to everyone’s view of the world today. This could not leave ELYSION untouched either, as it influenced their new album when it comes to symbolism and atmosphere used on the record. Taking a few steps back and contemplating everything, it becomes clear that we are miserably failing as humanity.
Despite not being considered a concept album, “Bring Out Your Dead” indicates a crossover from darkness towards light; with “light being our better version, our pure nature, one that hasn’t been poisoned by the corruption of mankind“. The ten new album tracks consist of a lot of different compositions, thus letting many different shades of their musical character show. Apart from ELYSION’s distinctive own identity being prominent throughout the songs, it gave them great excitement to experiment with heavier sounds, a more alternative atmosphere and dynamics that led to an evolved sound compared to their previous releases.
Album track listing: 1. Blink Of An Eye 2. Crossing Over 3. Far Away 4. Buried Alive 5. As The Flower Withers 6. Raid The Universe 7. This Time 8. Brand New Me 9. Blue Seasons 10. Eternity
ELYSION is: Christianna – Vocals Johnny Zero – Guitar Nid – Guitar FXF – Bass Ilias Laitsas – Drums
Icelandic RING OF GYGES present the first single and video, “Parasite”, from their forthcoming album “Metamorphosis” (which will be released via ViciSolum Productions on May 19). An amazingly vivid and beautifully thought-provoking piece of art, which will make fans of bands like Leprous, Port Noir and Haken thrilled.
Ring of Gyges about the video: “We spent a very cold couple of days out in the breathtaking landscapes and adorable little villages of South-Western Iceland with our fantastic director Gaui and a fantastic cast of actors, creating the video for our latest single Parasite. Fun fact: one of the scenes is filmed inside the home of the local sheriff in Guðjóns hometown. We hope you enjoy it at least half as much as we enjoyed making it, although Gísli has insisted on a warmer location for the next shoot”.
Rockshots Records is proud to announce their signing of WALK WITH TITANS for the release of their debut album “Olympian Dystopia” on May 26th, 2023. Based in Montreal, Canada, the band’s goal is to bring all the epic elements you’d expect from a power metal band with a twist of Greek Mythology. On “Olympian Dystopia” the quintet showcases their writing and technical skills.
Efficient, epic, well executed, heavy, and mythical, this is what power metal fans will discover during 50 minutes of “Olympian Dystopia” brought forth by Nikko Cyr (drums), Nick Maugy (rhythm guitar), Louis Jacques (lead guitar) (ex-Blackguard), Lydz Grondin (bass), and Jonathan Vézina (vocals & orchestrations).
”We wanted to make a straightforward power metal album without compromising the epic side. I think listeners will realize that and enjoy it. We made this album during the pandemic and it kept us sane, we hope fans will find the same joy in listening to it as we had to make it! We bring some ancient Greek Myths to the forefront like Eurydice and Herakles, while others are more subtle like ‘Edge of Time’, which is Khronos representing time eating us all. Other tracks on the record we made as an analogy for societal issues.” adds guitarist Louis Jacques.
Today, the band presents their first story and single accompanied by a music video. Entitled “Seven Against Thebes“, the track tells the tale of the seven champions in Greek mythology who made war on Thebes, Adrastus, Amphiaraus, Capaneus, Hippomedon, Polynices, Tydeus, and Parthenopaeus. They were chosen by Adrastus, the king of Argos, to be the captains of an Argive army whose purpose was to restore Oedipus’ son Polynices to the Theban throne.
”This song is very ”in your face”. We wanted to make a fast song with a very epic catchy chorus, I think we succeeded here. This song is about the myth of the two Oedipus’ sons who fought to the death over the city of Thebes. The bridge solo section is very fast and intense, as a battle could be. We unleash everything on the stage when we play this one.” says guitarist Louis Jacques
Track Listing: 1. Herakles (4:08) 2. Edge of Time (4:34) 3. Gods of the Pantheon (5:53) 4. As Titans Fall (4:36) 5. Lost Ways (4:28) 6. Final Dawn (5:31) 7. Gift of Fire feat. Renato Osório (5:38) – Guest guitar solo by Renato Osório (Atomic Elephant, ex-Hibria) 8. Lost Paradise (5:17) 9. Seven Against Thebes (4:16) 10. Eurydice (5:46) Album Length: 50:22
Album Credits: Album Artwork: Jean-Michel Lima Logo and album cover layout: Jivago Raymond Booklet Layout: Simon Bertrand Recordings: Nick Maugy and Louis Jacques, and vocals were at Silverwings Studio by Jonathan Lefrançois Mix and Mastering: Francis Gagné from Progressive Acoustics Drums on the Album: Martin Plante (session drummer) Music by Walk With Titans Guest solo on ”Gift of Fire” by Renato Osório (ex-Hibria) Lyrics: Jonathan Vézina, Louis Jacques, and David Zinay (lost paradise, final dawn)
Walk With Titans is: Drums : Nikko Cyr Rythm Guitar : Nick Maugy Lead Guitar : Louis Jacques Bass Guitar : Lydz Grondin Vocals & Orchestrations : Jonathan Vézina
TRUTH DECAYED have released their anticipated second chapter of ‘Faded Visions’, the first single from ‘Faded Visions II’ called ‘Death By Design’, today, Friday 17 March (produced by Kris Xenopoulos from Vulvodynia). After the stout impetus and triumph of ‘Faded Visions I’ in 2022, the KZN-based quartet is primed and set to elevate things to a blistering next level!
Warren Jones (Guitar) “Death by design was a very smooth and enjoyable song to record. Playing it live is even better. Even though Death By Design is so enjoyable, it has a darker meaning of we were designed to behave a certain way in society and contribute to a system that has crushed our dreams and aspirations. Death By Design’s intentions is to give some hope, that those seeking to make a difference in their lives don’t stand alone.”
Daniel Philogene (Drums) “Death By Design has been a great song to work on as it’s our first recorded song as the new band line-up. It feels as it’s shaped Truth Decayed into a more solid direction of where the music is going. It’s a very groovy and powerful song with super memorable vocals. Having used live performances to test the waters with new material, Death by design has only had very positive feedback from our audience.”
Renz Kruger (Bass) “For me as the newest member of Truth Decayed, the recording process for Death By Design was extremely smooth and very enjoyable. Death By Design has got some brutal guitar riffs and some slick solo parts along with some smooth and groovy bass lines that blends in well with some dynamic drumming elements and not to mention, powerful and deep lyrics. Mix that all up together in a big pot and you get … Death By Design. Playing Death By Design live especially is even more enjoyable as the vibe and energy with the crowd participation is powerful and extremely fulfilling.”
Ryno Theron (Vocals & Guitar) “I feel Death By Design captures the sound of Truth Decayed’s most solid and cohesive lineup to date. It has become somewhat of an anthem at live shows, and the crowd’s reaction really makes us feel it was a step in the right direction.”
Architects of life, empowering, the oppressing kind Creating uncertainty, leeching, destroying your dreams Apoptosis, hypnosis
Trigger the cells impulse Entangling life’s repulse Ceasing to form at all Apoptosis, forming the call Inducing, psychosis
Death by design You’re running out of time Racing to the grave To the ego, you’re a slave Forming your core too late
Deciding life through hate Broken promises are a state Sealing your broken fate Inducing, psychosis
Death By Design You’re running out of time Racing to the grave To the ego you’re a slave Death by design
Recorded At: Vision Studios Mixed And Mastered By: Kris Xenopoulos Produced By: Daniel Philogene Author: Warren Jones Composer: Truth Decayed
Truth Decayed are Ryno Theron (Vocals & Guitar) Warren Jones (Guitar) Daniel Philogene (Drums) Renz Kruger (Bass)
Truth Decayed hail from Durban, South Africa, and started during lockdown early 2020. The quartet combines the talents of seasoned musicians from varied bands craftily collected by founders and long-time friends Warren Jones and Ryno Theron.
Mere weeks from formation, the band unleashed their debut single ‘Modern Day Illusion’ that earned them a top position on France The Planet’s ‘Metal Madness Week Competition’ on BurgStudio. This was closely followed by winning the Battle of the Bands with ‘The Metal Lab UK’. Their debut EP ‘Modern Day Illusion’ and Music Video for ‘Opposing Direction’ soon followed and received critical acclaim from numerous renowned global media channels, with positive reviews in magazines like Metal Hammer.
During 2021 Truth Decayed proudly represented South Africa on the global stage on international Online Festivals like SUBGB Festival de Música (Colombia), Heresy Fest (Argentina), Caio Indica Fest (Brazil), Larva Fest (Peru), La Ley del Rock (Argentina & Italy), Music Entropia (Greece), as well as the World Of Metal Online Festival (Portugal) where they opened for icons Venom, Rotting Christ, Anvil and Iron Saviour. Truth Decayed also enjoyed frequent Radio play from notable stations like Wacken Radio, Heavy Radio, and their track ‘Opposing Direction’ featured on the Greece Compilation ‘In The Sign Of Chaos Vol 3’ and ‘PTSD’ on the US Compilation ‘Rage Against Cancer’ from Malevolence Records.
In 2022 Truth Decayed unleashed the first part of ‘Faded Visions’, with the singles ‘PTSD’, ‘Faded Visions’, and ‘Absolute War’ receiving critical acclaim. The Music Video for ‘Faded Visions’ had its premiere with HEAVY Magazine in Australia (and Truth Decayed also feature on the cover of the latest Magazine Edition). The full ‘Faded Visions I’ had its Exclusive Worldwide Premiere with Metal Injection. The release was supported with extensive shows in South Africa. After the success of ‘Faded Visions I’, the KZN-based quartet is primed and set to elevate things to a blistering next level in 2023 with ‘Faded Visions II’, starting with the new single ‘Death By Design’ (produced by Kris Xenopoulos from Vulvodynia, who also produced ‘Faded Visions I’).
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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
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