Metal Shock Finland’s Exclusive Premiere for Finland: CHRONICLE – “Where Chaos Thrives” Single + Video!

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 3, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo by The Lens Viking

“Where Chaos Thrives”, the new single by the Danish tech melodeath band CHRONICLE, is the final statement and also the title-track of their upcoming album, to be released in May. It is the inevitable conclusion to the thematic concept that will be the backbone of the record and a final farewell for the human race. 

“This is where our world is heading, if something fundamental doesn’t change in the way we live on this planet”, the band comments on the song. “If we do not act, the Earth will become a place where no human life survives and only chaos thrives. Musically the song is complex with many twists and turns, as the song goes from crushing heaviness to the final passage of melancholic acoustic guitars”.

Today Metal Shock Finland has a pleasure to premiere for Finland CHRONICLE’s new digital single + Video, enjoy the premiering below.

2023 will be known for a lot of things. And among all of them, the slight “detail” that will be CHRONICLE’s third full-length album, “Where Chaos Thrives”, will likely put melodic/technical death metal fans in a frenzy. The record elevates the young Danes’ sound to a new level of brutality and technicality, enhanced by the superior production, mixing and mastering done by Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, The Haunted, The Black Dahlia Murder). With artwork done by Samuel Nelson (Allegaeon, First Fragment, Vale Of Pnath), “Where Chaos Thrives” has all the right ingredients in the right quantities to be a pure death metal onslaught.

The sound of Chronicle is a ferocious combination of melodic death metal and technical thrash elements. Lightning-fast drums, soaring solos and catchy guitar harmonies are the key ingredients in this cocktail of heaviness. The band consists of competent players, who each have many years of experience performing in front of crowds of all sizes. The band’s energetic live shows reveal a true passion for performing and each member of the band is determined to make every performance unique and energetic. Chronicle has played all over Denmark including some of the best metal events and festivals the country has to offer and also ventured into German territory.

Prepare yourself for the death metal sweeping winds of “Where Chaos Thrives”, a true extreme metal masterpiece to be remembered for years to come.

“Where Chaos Thrives” will be released on LP (black vinyl, limited to 300 copies), CD and digital formats via Mighty Music on May 19th, 2023.

Lineup:
Lars Bo Nepper – guitar/vocals
Sebastian Skousgaard – guitar
Jacob Wammen – bass/vocals
Jari S. Holopainen – drums

Digital single: https://bfan.link/where-chaos-thrives

More information at:
https://www.facebook.com/chronicleofficialband
https://www.instagram.com/chronicledk/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dhbq6po6mb8e7wlzrjocm
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chronicle/1498519104
https://chroniclemetal.bandcamp.com/

Metal Shock Finland’s Exclusive Premiere for Finland: BLACK OAK COUNTY – “Back For Blood” Single + Official Video!

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 3, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

BLACK OAK COUNTY is Back For Blood!

The Danish hard rockers prove they’re far from finished with their latest hard-hitting single, “Back For Blood”!

Following the band’s successful reunion show at last year’s Made In Esbjerg festival, which celebrated former singer and guitarist Niels Beier’s return to the band, the hard rock quartet prove they are at the top of their game, with their explosive new outing. 

With a fast, massive and thundering riff, plenty of drum fills to go around and a shattering bass line, Black Oak County invites you into their familiar yet renewed sonic universe. With Beier and Kristensen sharing vocal duties on a dangerously catchy hook, and plenty of guitar solos that’ll make you break out your favourite air guitar.

BLACK OAK COUNTY have teamed up with Metal Shock Finland to premiere “Back For Blood” for Finnish territory, enjoy it here:

““Back For Blood is about all the expectations and gossip we faced when Niels left the band and following our second album, “Theatre Of The Mind”,” the band explains. “At that point everybody was a critic and seemed keen on voicing their opinions on our music and the band members, past and present – this song is all about sticking it to the rumours and proving a point: we’re still standing, and we’re far from done!”.
 
Recorded at the world-famous Hansen Studios, and produced, mixed, and mastered by grammy nominee Jacob Hansen, the renown mixing engineer and producer behind releases by mega-artists such as Volbeat, Amaranthe, Mustasch, Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, Jesper Binzer and countless others.

Black Oak County are currently gearing up for their national tour of Denmark with label mates Junkyard Drive. Catch them on the following dates:
3/3 – Templet, Lyngby, DK
17/3 – Godset, Kolding, DK
31/3 – Von Hatten, Randers, DK
1/4 – Kosmorama, Bramming, DK
13/4 – Vega, København, DK
15/4 – Magasinet, Nakskov, DK
29/4 – Sønderborghus, Sønderborg, DK 

Lineup:
Niels Beier – guitar, vocals
René Kristensen – bass, vocals
Jack Svendsen – guitar
Mike Svendsen – drums

Digital single: https://blackcounty.lnk.to/blood
,
More information at:
https://www.facebook.com/blackoakcounty
https://www.instagram.com/blackoakcounty/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5w3q0pifwl9ccpj6yddibk
https://twitter.com/blackoakcounty
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/black-oak-county/1137940619

BEHEMOTH Announce ‘The Deathless Svmmer’ Tour for 2023

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 2, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

The Gates of Hell burst open for the black metal demon, BEHEMOTH’s triumphant return to Europe – presenting, ‘The Deathless Svmmer’. BEHEMOTH will perform across the biggest festivals, including Download Festival, Hellfest, Graspop, Sweden Rock and more, plus exclusive shows with a curated accompaniment, featuring HYPOCRISY, VENDED, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT and GAEREA.

Singer Nergal states:
‘A European festival run is truly my favourite way to spend my Summer! We aim to make a lasting impression on these massive stages alongside the biggest names in metal. We’ve also put together some awesome club shows with a mix of legendary and contemporary artists. We can’t wait to be amongst you, Legions!”

Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, Friday, find the tour dates below:

04.06. CZ Plzen – Metalfest 
08.06. PL Gdansk – Mystic Festival 
09.06. SE Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock 
11.06. UK Donington, Download Festival 
13.06. CH Pratteln – Z7 w/VENDED, GAEREA 
15.06. FR Clisson – Hellfest 
16.06. BE Dessel – Graspop 
17.06. NL Utrecht – Tivoli Ronda w/HYPOCRISY, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT 
18.06. DE Hannover – Capitol w/HYPOCRISY, SPIRITWORLD
20.06. DE Karlsruhe – Substage w/HYPOCRISY, SPIRITWORLD
22.06. NO Oslo – Tons Of Rock 
24.06. FI Nummijärvi – Nummirock 
28.06. ES Viveiro – Ressurection 
02.07. IT Bologna – The Return of the Gods Festival w/KREATOR, PANTERA

BEHEMOTH released their last album Opvs Contra Natvram on September 16th 2022 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band’s 12th studio album is a stark reminder of the rebellion, individuality and unflinching self-expression that BEHEMOTH’s phenomenal work inbues, shaped by a literary worldview.  It also reflects a musical evolution, as there’s little doubt that Opvs Contra Natvram is BEHEMOTH’s strongest and most sophisticated musical collection to date.

Order the album here: https://behemoth.bfan.link/opvs-contra-natvram

KINGS OF MERCIA Share Video for New Single ‘Sweet Revenge’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 2, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . 1 Comment
Photo credit: Jeremy Saffer/Scott Towns

KINGS OF MERCIA have released a video for their new single “Sweet Revenge”.

Vocalist Steve Overland comments: “I love “Sweet Revenge”, it’s a very dark sultry track, all centred around a great heavy riff from Jim. Once again great performances from all the band on this track, one of my favourite K.O.M. tracks.“

The debut album from Kings of Mercia, the new group formed by acclaimed rock/metal guitarist Jim Matheos (Fates Warning, Arch / Matheos) and powerhouse rock vocalist Steve Overland (FM) is out now via Metal Blade Records. Accompanying the duo on the self-titled release are Matheos’ Fates Warning bandmate Joey Vera on bass, and legendary drummer Simon Philips.

The album is available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Order here: metalblade.com/kingsofmercia

TRACKLIST:
01. Wrecking Ball
02. Humankind
03. Sweet Revenge
04. Set the World on Fire
05. Too Far Gone
06. Liberate Me
07. Nowhere Man
08. Everyday Angels
09. Is It Right?
10. Your Life

Watch the previously released videos here:
“Wrecking Ball”: youtu.be/e9oJrJ4g27U
“Liberate Me”: youtu.be/Ce-HVPeiBpE
“Humankind”: youtu.be/JEyftBvR7Xs

Best known as the founding guitarist for Fates Warning, but with countless other projects under his belt – including Arch / Matheos and most recently Tuesday The Sky – Jim Matheos is incapable of stifling his creativity. In early 2021, he started working on the songs that would become Kings Of Mercia‘s self-titled debut album, bringing his distinct style yet doing something a little different. “I started writing without any real idea of what direction I wanted to go in or what I was going to do with the material. The first few songs came together quickly and were a bit more straightforward than I’m used to, and I really liked that idea, kind of going back to my early heavy/hard rock roots.” Not having any pre-conceived ideas of what the record should or would end up sounding like, at least early on, certainly helped, “as did the fact that it’s our first record, so there was nothing to measure it against or expectations to live up to, even if only in my own head.”

Churning out songs, Matheos’ next concern was to find the musicians who would help him realize the material, and his first priority was a vocalist. It was his friend Jeff Wagner who suggested FM‘s Steve Overland, and another friend, rock journalist Dave Ling, who put them in touch with each other. “Jim had asked Dave for my contact details, we talked about his idea for mixing the two styles, his heavier background, with my melodic/bluesier direction,” says Overland. “We decided to try a collaboration on one song and see how it worked, we came up with the track “Humankind”, and we both loved it.” Having already settled on this hard rock direction, it was only once Matheos got the first couple of songs back from Overland that it became all the way clear of the shape the record would take, with the vocalist sending over his parts every few weeks, everything gradually coming together.

Behind the kit for the record is the legendary Simon Phillips (ex-Toto, Derek Sherinian), one of Matheos’ favorite drummers. “I decided to contact him on a whim, not really expecting that he’d be available or interested in this project. But, to my surprise, he liked the music and was able to fit some recording into his schedule. It’s an honor to share a credit with him and I couldn’t be happier with what he added to the record.” Rounding out the group is bassist Joey Vera – Matheos’ Fates Warning bandmate – who brings his trademark style and professionalism to the table. “My old friend and co-worker Joey Vera was a natural choice for bass. Not only did I know he would deliver performance-wise, but it was nice to have a familiar face among the new personalities.” With these players involved it was an easy, stress-free process throughout, making music for the love of it, and coming up with something that sounds familiar yet new, expanding the repertoire of all involved. This means songs like the half-acoustic ballad, half-swaggering “Too Far Gone” or the beautiful “Everyday Angels”, and the soaring “Wrecking Ball”, which opens the record on a high note, all brought to life in dynamic style.

Jim Matheos – Guitars
Steve Overland – Vocals
Joey Vera – Bass
Simon Phillips – Drums

DISCREATION Reveal Lyric Video for Fierce New Single ‘God Of War’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 2, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo: Peter Kunz & Kerstin Marth]

March 24, 2023 will see death metal heavy weights DISCREATION release their forthcoming, sixth studio album, entitled Iron Times, via Massacre Records. Created during the Corona pandemic and under the impression of a then impending – now ongoing war in the middle of Europe – inspired by the countless wars and turning points in history, Iron Times marks the band’s darkest record to date.

But Iron Times is also a turning point for the band, as with Marc Grewe (ex-Morgoth) DISCREATION welcomed a true death metal legend to their ranks! His distinctive voice perfectly matches with the new album songs, while blast attacks, tank grooves, bleak melodies and grim determination showcase DISCREATION‘s very own variant of German death metal.

Following the previously-released first single, the heavy as hell album title, today, the five-piece band has unleashed a lyric video for their second single “God Of War”:

Guitarist Sebastian Schilling comments: “”God Of War” is the personification of the ever-present potential for conflicts to turn into violence and war, even if no one actually wanted it to. In “Nothing New in the West,” the protagonist Paul Bäumer puts it this way: “I think it’s more a kind of fever. Nobody actually wants it, and all of a sudden it’s there.

The song creeps forward like the first tanks in the Battle of the Somme, before the inevitable blast thunderstorm occurs.”

Iron Times was produced by Alexander Krull, who gave the album an earthy yet powerful sound. The goal was to capture the band’s raw live sound and add a contemporary punch. And as the first single releases prove, mission accomplished!

[Artwork by Björn Gooßes / Killustrations]

Coming on March 24, 2023 via Massacre Records, Iron Times is available for pre-order HERE!

Iron Times track listing:

  1. Iron Times
  2. Steel Legions
  3. Bringer Of Demise
  4. Blood Ritual
  5. Deus Lo Vult
  6. The Battle Rages On
  7. God Of War
  8. Maschinenkrieg
  9. Mercenary
  10. I Am The Sword (CD Bonus Track)

DISCREATION Live:
25.03.2023 DE Hirschaid – Jahnhalle (Braincrusher In Hell Festival)
03.-04.11.2023 DE Oberhausen – ResonanzWerk (End Of Days Festival)
25.11.2023 DE Weibersbrunn – Mehrzweckhalle (Hell Over Aschaffenburg)

DISCREATION is:
Marc Grewe – Vocals
Sebastian Schilling – Guitars
Dave Hübsch – Guitars
Peter Frick – Bass
Martin Engels – Drums

Dutch Legendary PHLEBOTOMIZED Release New Album “Clouds of Confusion” on May 26th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 2, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Dutch progressive Death Metal legends PHLEBOTOMIZED at the peak of their 30 year old career! Their new album “Clouds of Confusion” is set to be released on May 26th via Hammerheart Records.

PHLEBOTOMIZED is among the oldest Death Metal bands from Holland and one of the first using violin and synthesizers in extreme metal. Their typical “Death Metal with a twist” caused a stir in the booming Dutch metal scene back in the early 90’s. Formed in 1989, Phlebotomized started out as a Grindcore/Death Metal band, inspired by acts like Morbid Angel, Nocturnus and Paradise Lost. Later on, the band began to use keyboard and violin arrangements, resulting in their unique sound. Their “Devoted to God” demo (1992) was recognized as a classic one demo worldwide. In 1994 Phlebotomized released their seminal “Immense Intense Suspense” album which offered an intelligent blend of atmosphere and brutality. It took the Death Metal scene by storm, giving both the band and the album a legendary Cult status worldwide. The band played numerous shows but disbanded shortly after the release of their second full-length album “Skycontact” in 1997.

After a hibernation of 16 years, Phlebotomized regrouped in 2013 upon the re-release of their classic albums. The band played several live-shows and started thinking of forging a new album. After some changes in line-up, their comeback album “Deformation of Humanity” was recorded and released by Hammerheart Records in 2019). This album received raving reviews and Phlebotomized played several (international) shows and festivals in 2019. In 2020 they hit the studio again to record their EP “Pain, Resistance, Suffering”, released in 2021. Again a recording containing all elements that distinguishes Phlebotomized from the ordinary: wayward and exploring beyond the scopes of conventional paths in Death Metal.

Forward to 2023 and “Clouds Of Confusion”! If you are a Death Metal fan that still craves for the 90’s, you need “Clouds of Confusion”. It does not get better than this if you love what Phlebotomized did in the past. If you need to bang your head check out “Clouds of Confusion “ for some real Old School Death Metal. For those of you who need not mindlessly bang their head, who can allow things like atmosphere and intelligence to occasionally enter into your realm, you will really appreciate this just as well. But still, we would not justify what Phlebotomized delivers on this great album, because there is so much more to hear and discover. Something that is rare these days, an album that grows, an album that reveals something new with each spin. Perhaps it is again an album ahead of its time, although it is definitely looking back in time just as well.

• Artwork by Andrey Khrisanenkov from Armaada Art
• Recorded by Jörg Uken and Bartok Industries by Rob op `t Veld

Pre-orders at https://phlebotomized.lnk.to/cloudsofconfusion