OXYMORRONS, the electrifying genre-blending band hailing from the heart of New York City, have released their highly anticipated debut album, Melanin Punk, via Mascot Records. The band also announced they will join Corey Taylor on his November UK and European tour, beginning in the UK on 8 November then calling though the Netherlands, France and Germany. You can get tickets from HERE.
Known for their distinctive sound that effortlessly fuses hip-hop and hard rock influences, Oxymorrons have delivered an exciting project that transcends boundaries, seamlessly weaving between different musical styles and unexpected sonic landscapes. Melanin Punk is the evolution of their groundbreaking EP, Mohawks and Durags, offering listeners the full experience of what Oxymorrons have to offer. Collaborating again with producer Zach Jones (Fever 333, Hollywood Undead, Nova Twins), who they worked with on their EP.
The creative process behind Melanin Punk was marked by inspiration striking the band anywhere and everywhere. Some songs were born from voice notes recorded in the most unexpected places, while others were crafted in intense three-hour sessions. “This project’s main goal is to tell the story of the band through a character we created called Mel, but it transcends to a story that can be relatable to anyone who feels like an outcast,” says the band. “Especially through our single releases, you can see the major plot points of Mel’s struggle. ‘Enemy,’ with him telling the world he’s not against them, but just wanting to be included. ‘Last Call,’ representing his struggles with not being seen and diving into drinking to numb the pain. ‘Graveyard Words,’ to show the strength of words and empower him to have to stand up for himself. And now, ‘Look Alive,’ to show that he’s here to stay and to get ready for what’s coming.”
With Melanin Punk, Oxymorrons aim to build community and celebrate diversity while challenging preconceived notions of rock music and fostering a sense of self-worth and pride in individuality. When asked what they hope listeners would take away from the experience, the band explains, “Sonically, to have fans be open to new sounds in the rock space and not confining what you listen to in a box. More existentially, we want fans to gain a sense of self-worth, be proud of exactly who you are, and realize that there is a community of people who are equally weird and awesome as you are. Hopefully this album will break down doors for what it means to be ‘rock’ or ‘black’ or ‘poc’ or an ‘outcast’. Individuality is everything. Representation is everything. Oxymorrons are the Voltron to the new movement.”
While extensively touring both the US and abroad this last year with the likes of Corey Taylor, Bad Omens, nothing nowhere, and on their own headline run, Oxymorrons fans were able to get a first listen to the new tunes and the energy of the new songs translated live.
Finnish Modern Metallers BLOODRED HOURGLASS are back with their new album, “How’s the Heart?” along with a video for the brutally beautiful opener album track ‘Of Course I Still Love You,’ featuring crushing riffs, tempo changes, and an undeniably affecting melody, using melodiousness as its driving force. Heartfelt and personal.
Known for their ability to blend modern and death metal influences, Bloodred Hourglass takes you on a journey in “How’s the Heart?” through the stages of grief, offering a unique blend of aggression and beauty. Showcasing their evolution as musicians, pushing the boundaries of genres while staying true to their traditional Nordic roots and signature soundscapes. With impactful riffing, aggressive drumming, versatile vocals, catchy choruses, and grandiose synths, this album is a must-listen, mixed and mastered by Dan Braunstein (Spiritbox, Veil Of Maya, Dayseeker).
Join the higher notes of emotions and experience the power of Bloodred Hourglass in “How’s the Heart?” – available now as 2CD, 2LP vinyl, including bonus tracks, a BRHG wooden fan box set limited to 199 pieces including a branded bag of specialty coffee roasted locally in the band’s hometown Mikkeli (FI), a BRHG espresso cup, a 2CD with three bonus tracks only available on the physical version, a patch, magnet, reflector and a certificate. All editions are available around the globe and digitally at this location: https://BRHG.lnk.to/HowsTheHeartAlbum
Don’t forget to catch them live at their next shows in Finland and Estonia. More shows will be announced soon. 28.10.2023 Black Box, Mikkeli 03.11.2023 Utopia, Turku 04.11.2023 Sawohouse, Kuopio 10.11.2023 Totem, Lappeenranta 11.11.2023 Suistoklubi, Hämeenlinna 17.11.2023 Wanha Mestari, Kauhajoki 18.11.2023 Kantakrouvi, Oulu 24.11.2023 Klubi, Tampere 25.11.2023 Lutakko, Jyväskylä 01.12.2023 Kannusali, Espoo 02.12.2023 Unholy Winter Fest, Joensuu 05.12.2023 House of Rock, Kouvola 08.12.2023 Tiivistämö, Helsinki 09.12.2023 Paavli Kultuurivabrik, Tallinn (EE)
Bloodred Hourglass are: Jaredi Koukonen – Vocals Jarkko Hyvönen – Drums Jose Moilanen – Bass Lauri Silvonen – Guitar Joni Lahdenkauppi – Guitar Eero Silvonen – Guitar
The 30 years anniversary edition of ROCKHARZ in July 2023, celebrated by fans and press, was a complete success. While the event was still in full swing, two headliners – Hammerfall and Kreator – were already confirmed in addition to the first strong dozen of acts for the 31st edition of the friendly open air festival from July 03 to 06, 2024, at the Ballenstedt airfield in the Harz Mountains. The fans reacted promptly: after less than six weeks, ROCKHARZ 2024 officially announced “sold out” in mid-August. So much trust is being rewarded, for instance with the next big highlight for all the lucky ones who secured a ticket right away – Bruce Dickinson!
The Iron Maiden mastermind will celebrate his recently announced album The Mandrake Project exclusively under the Devil’s Wall (a famous landmark of the Harz region and a place of pilgrimage for ROCKHARZ visitors) as part of the only festival show of the year in Germany. Organizer Thorsten “Buddy” Kohlrausch is proud and happy about this very special announcement: “For many years we have been hoping to be able to present such a legendary artist as BRUCE DICKINSON on the ROCKHARZ stages one day. Now this dream comes true! And not only that! We will be the only festival in Germany where Bruce will perform with THE MANDRAKE PROJECT. Thanks to the universe for this unique opportunity and this accolade for our festival!”
But it keeps getting better: at the same time, four more highlights have been confirmed for next year with Amaranthe, Callejon, Benediction and Kanonenfieber – and that’s not all; more bands, including some main acts, will be announced soon.
And there is hope for all those who don’t have a ticket yet, because since last Friday, Oct. 20, the ROCKHARZ online store is open. The clou: On this day, the last ticket returns will be posted in the store – and being quick might very well pay off! Because for all late-comers this will probably be the last chance to get a ticket for ROCKHARZ 2024 after all.
All confirmed acts for ROCKHARZ 2024 as of today: BRUCE DICKINSON (“THE MANDRAKE PROJECT” Exclusive Festival Show Germany 2024), AMARANTHE, AMORPHIS, BENEDICTION, CALLEJON, D’ARTAGNAN, DIRKSCHNEIDER, HAMMERFALL, HATEBREED, HELDMASCHINE, KANONENFIEBER, KREATOR, LORDI, OOMPH!, ORDEN OGAN, PARASITE INC., RAGE, SCHANDMAUL, SOILWORK, THE HALO EFFECT, UNEARTH, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, and many more.
On March 31st “A Hint Of Solace” was released – certainly a milestone in the history of the Stuttgart power metallers VANISH. After the limited collector’s box was sold out in no time, the guys from VANISH please their fans again and release the album on November 3 as “blue-marbled vinyl” – also in a strictly limited edition. The pre-sale phase starts today and is accordingly short. Available here: vanish.epr.rocks
To celebrate the day another video from the smash hit album “Walk With Me Through Fire” is released, as well as new live dates:
2023/11/18 Ultimate Metal – Heidenheim – Underground – VANISH & t.b.a. 2023/11/24 NWOSHM – Warmbronn – Soundcheck One – VANISH & Black & Damned 2023/12/09 Marmorwerk – Horb a.N. – VANISH, Skulls & Crossbones, Sons of Sounds 2024/01/19 Come Inn – Renchen – VANISH & Metal Brüder DJs
VANISH formed in 2000 and have released three albums so far. Since then they have been on tour with Queensryche, Michael Schenker, Rage, Ross the Boss or Brainstorm among others and are also known at festivals like Rock of Ages (DE), Rock The Ring (CH) or Baltic Open Air (DE).
Line-up: Bastian Rose – Vocals, Keys Ralf Nopper – Drums Philipp Schönle – Guitars Andreas Armbruster – Bass Ben Galster – Guitars
Chilean band WEIGHT OF EMPTINESS, noted for their unique work fusing death metal with melodic and progressive elements, releases a new video clip to continue promoting the successful album Withered Paradogma, released this year via Sliptrick Records.
The chosen song is Storm Within, whose impressive images portrayed could touch people’s sensibilities, as it immerses us in the most hidden and dark depths of the human mind, in a state of low vibrations. Images generated with Artificial Intelligence are combined, where the production company Trébol Video Clips is a pioneer in this technique in Chile, with filming made in an old house.
Mauricio Basso, drummer of the band, who participated as an actor, along with his daughter Fiorella Basso, comments: “Transmitting extreme experiences of this type, and then capturing them in images was quite a challenge.”
The video was directed and edited by NOD and was assisted by Javier Leiva.
Weight Of Emptiness – Withered Paradogma The Chilean band Weight Of Emptiness releases its third full-length album called Withered Paradogma, which reflects life and death as part of the cycles of the human being. Death is just one more step, a new beginning, the awakening to a new age, where the old ways are withered …read more
Available now from: Shop Sliptrick | & and all major online stores
Withered Paradogma | Released March 7th, 2023 via Sliptrick Records
Weight Of Emptiness are: Alejandro Ruiz – Vocals | Juan Acevedo – Guitar | Alejandro Bravo – Guitar | Mauricio Basso – Drums | Mario Urra – Bass
Spanish thrash metal masters ANGELUS APATRIDA are now celebrating the release of their monstrous new album, ‘Aftermath,’ which hit the streets today via Century Media Records! To commemorate the big day, the band is now blessing fans with a lyric video for the new single, “Scavenger,” which can be found HERE.
ANGELUS APATRIDA vocalist/guitarist Guillermo Izquierdo comments on the single, “
‘Aftermath’ follows Angelus Apatrida‘s 2021 eponymous full-length, which topped the official album charts in Spain at # 1! The release also debuted in Germany at # 49 and Switzerland at # 41.
‘Aftermath’ features a diverse cast of guest appearances by vocalist Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), guitarist Pablo García (Warcry), singer Todd La Torre (Queensrÿche) and rapper Sho-Hai. The album was once again self-produced by the band, with recordings handled by Juanan López at Baboon Records in Albacete, Spain and mixing and mastering by Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Overkill, Hatebreed, Municipal Waste, Shadows Fall) at Planet-Z in Wilbraham, MA, USA.)
‘Aftermath’ can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.
The artwork for ‘Aftermath’ was created by Gyula Havancsák (Annihilator, Destruction, Stratovarius) and can be found above while the tracklist and additional information can be found below.
“Aftermath” is available in as Ltd. CD Jewelcase in O-Card packaging for its first pressing and Digital Album with two fresh live bonus tracks (11. Indoctrinate (Live in Bilbao 2023) and 12. Give ‘Em War (Live in Barcelona 2023)), or as 180g vinyl LP in the following variants: Ltd. transp. red LP (300x copies from cmdistro and various other retailers), Ltd. transp. orange LP (600x copies from amazon.es & Angelus Apatrida), Ltd. translucent tan colored LP (500x copies from all US outlets) and as Black LP.
Previously, Angelus Apatrida released a documentary that was directed by Mike Casey, entitled ’28 Months Later: A Post-Apocalyptic Metal Documentary.’ The film detailed the band’s journey from preparing for 2021’s self-titled opus leading towards the creation of ‘Aftermath.’ The clip can be seen HERE.
The band will also be appearing at several prestigious European festivals throughout the summer before heading on a European tour in support of ‘Aftermath’ together with Death Angel and Sacred Reich in October/November! The run will be followed by a string of dates in Spain between November and February. The full itinerary and ticket links can be found HERE.
The world has taken a battering over the last few years, but ANGELUS APATRIDA is leading the fightback.
Spain’s greatest ever exponents of forward-thinking thrash metal began their campaign at the turn of the century and have been a consistent force for heavy music ever since. From their ferocious 2006 debut album ‘Evil Unleashed’ and 2010’s widely acclaimed ‘Clockwork’ (the band’s first for Century Media), to more recent triumphs like 2018’s ‘Cabaret de la Guillotine,’ ANGELUS APATRIDA has become increasingly unstoppable. In 2023, they will release ‘Aftermath,’ a vicious and vital response to the chaos we see all around us.
With touring plans for 2020 cancelled, ANGELUS APATRIDA simply switched focus to the creative process. The result was ‘Angelus Apatrida,’ a self-titled record that sought to redefine its creators’ era-blending sound, with renewed intensity and uproarious lyrical sensibilities that dug deep into the realities of the modern world. Climbing to the top of the official album charts in Spain at # 1 as well as marking the band’s first ever chart entries in Germany at # 49 and Switzerland at # 41 upon release in 2021, the album showcased a band at the peak of their powers. Understandably, ANGELUS APATRIDA were absolutely itching to get back on the road, which they eventually did with a vengeance.
“We started doing some shows trying to keep things going until the summer of 2021, and then at the end of the year we were able to do some important venues and festivals,” recalls guitarist/vocalist Guillermo Izquierdo. “We spent 2022 and 2023 touring, mostly in Europe and North America. We’ve played Hellfest, Graspop, Dynamo, Resurrection Fest, Rock Fest and Leyendas del Rock, and we did our first headlining tour in the U.S. and Canada. In February 2023 we did the last four dates of the tour in Spain with four total sell outs!”
Clearly one of the hardest-working bands in metal, ANGELUS APATRIDA were not content with simply returning to the live arena. Even as they toured, work on their next album began. Pre-production for ‘Aftermath’ was finished in March 2023, and the band swiftly hit the studio in their hometown of Albacete, once again collaborating with trusted live and studio engineer Juanan López on the capturing of these new metal explosions. The finished tracks were then sent to the legendary Zeuss (Rob Zombie/Overkill/Hatebreed) at Planet-Z in Wilbraham, Massachusetts and polished to a devastating sheen. The results speak for themselves: ‘Aftermath’ is titanium-plated modern thrash of the highest order.
“Every time we sit down and write new music, we try to do the best we can and to put all the new things and experiences we had over the last few years into the mix,” says Guillermo. “The new songs are pure ANGELUS APATRIDA. They’ve got every single essence of the band. There are many songs containing more personal feelings than on previous records. We’re going deep into our souls and feelings sometimes. Since we are living strange, difficult and dark times, we liked the concept of an aftermath. After everything that has happened since 2020 and is still happening in the world, in our society, and in our lives, a lot of strong feelings have come through in the music and lyrics.”
‘Aftermath’ is undoubtedly the most heartfelt and powerful record in ANGELUS APATRIDA’s illustrious history, but it’s also one of the heaviest and most direct. From the neck-wrecking adrenaline rush of opener “Scavenger” to the dark might of the closing “Vultures And Butterflies,” the Spanish quartet’s eighth studio record displays the songwriting muscle and playing prowess of bands like Metallica, Testament and Pantera, while still delivering a huge, jolting dose of ANGELUS APATRIDA’s distinctive trademark attack.
“We can describe ‘Aftermath’ as what metal means to us,” Guillermo says. “It contains the best songs we’ve ever written. It is just very difficult to pick just one or two highlights on this album since every single track could be a single itself.”
Confirming their sturdy reputation in the global metal scene, ANGELUS APATRIDA invited some heavyweight figures to add their talents to ‘Aftermath.’ Hatebreed’s iconic frontman Jamey Jasta lends his caustic bark to “Snob,” while Queensrÿche vocalist Todd La Torre lends his spectacular tones to “Vultures And Butterflies.” Elsewhere, Pablo Garcia, guitarist with Spanish power metal legends Warcry, displays his virtuosity on the incendiary “Fire Eyes,” and Spanish rap star Sho-Hai brings the noise on the brooding “What Kills Us All. “
With no need to regain momentum, ANGELUS APATRIDA is more ready than most to let rip again in 2023. ‘Aftermath’ marks a pinnacle in this band’s determined and always fruitful career. It’s a defiant, uplifting and resolutely metal-as-fuck response to an era defined by chaos and fear. It’s the sound of ANGELUS APATRIDA, doing what they do, but bigger, better, louder and with more passion than ever.
“As soon as the album is released, we are starting a huge live campaign,” adds Guillermo. “We start with a big European tour that will cover most of the mainland and the U.K., and we are already working on getting back to Oceania and Asia, Latin America and making our return to the United States and Canada during the first half of 2024. Expect a great live festival season for summer 2024 and more tours! We’re coming!”
Line-up: Guillermo Izquierdo – Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitars David G. Álvarez – Lead, Rhythm Guitars José J. Izquierdo – Bass Guitar Víctor Valera – Drums
Special Guests: Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) – vocals, “Snob “ Pablo García (Warcry) – guitars, “Fire Eyes” Todd La Torre (Queensrÿche) – vocals, “Vultures and Butterflies” Sho-Hai – vocals, “What Kills Us All”
Produced by Angelus Apatrida. Recordings handled by Juanan López at Baboon Records in Albacete, Spain Mixing and mastering by Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Overkill, Hatebreed, Municipal Waste, Shadows Fall) at Planet-Z in Wilbraham, MA, USA.)
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
