Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Doro Pesch live on Youtube. She spoke about her upcoming album Conqueress-Forever Strong and Proud (via Nuclear Blast) as well as recalled stories on her touring days with Judas Priest, WASP, Megadeth and Metallica.
Doro was asked by The Metal Voice about tour with W.A.S.P. in the early years she said,” We hopped on tour with W.A.S.P. in England. It was my first big tour in the UK and I was sick as a dog. I was so sick. The tour was not the big stadiums it was like the smaller Club. So there was usually only one dressing room for the headliner and we didn’t have a dressing room. So I was sitting on a Stairway, it was cold, it was freezing and I had a big fever. I probably had pneumonia I didn’t know. I think that was what it was. So Blacky Lawless he came up the stairs and he said hey are you Dora? Are you from Warlock? Are you the support band? I said yes and he said you look really really sick and I said man, I feel I’m dying and he said you know come with me and then he carried me into his dressing room. He told his band members let me have the dressing room. And he said lay on the couch and he gave me all kinds of medicine and some vitamins and fruit juice and fresh fruit which in the 80s there was unheard of in England. So he said I will take care of you and he gave me some me medicine like it was his secret portion and I drank it and I ate some vitamins and then I laid down he said you know what, you sleep and I will wake you up when it’s time for you to go on stage or to get dressed. And I slept like a baby and then he woke me up and I got all dressed up and I felt so good, I was healed almost instantly. It was still a heavy tour but you know I felt so good and he really took care of me and he was the sweetest person and it was unbelievable and he probably will not remember that but I will remember that for a lifetime.”
German metal queen Doro Pesch will release her new studio album, “Conqueress – Forever Strong And Proud”, on October 27 via Nuclear Blast. “Conqueress – Forever Strong And Proud” will arrive one day before Doro’s 40th-anniversary concert at the Mitsubishi Electric Halle in Düsseldorf, Germany.
THE ODDEVEN are a riff-oriented hard rock band with a massive groove and hypnotic kick from Baltimore, MD and they just premiered a new music video and single entitled “Whiskey“. The band have also announced the availability of pre-orders for their upcoming full-length album Darkness which is scheduled to be released on January 5, 2024 via Eclipse Records. The album was produced by Weed and E.T., alongside Frank Marchand (Fiona Apple, Nils Lofgren) at Waterford Digital, and mastered by Alan Douches (Mastodon, Monster Magnet, Fleetwood Mac) at West West Side Music.
“We shot this video because the best way to face the challenges ahead in earthly life is with a fortified exterior and a gut full of whiskey,” says bassist Weed. “As per usual with the filming of our videos, the band was visited by aliens on the set. Luckily for the band, the aliens seem to be friendly and have a real interest in the music we are creating. (We suspect a few of them are repeat visitors, but we have not made a confirmation quite yet as they all look very similar). The most difficult part of filming this video was consuming the vast amounts of whiskey that was being forced down our throats by the aliens… What started out as a good time in the woods with beings from beyond, quickly became a bit excessive and made the most basic of tasks (standing up, holding an instrument, etc.) difficult. ET tried to negotiate a trade with the aliens to go aboard one of their spacecrafts in return for additional new music about their travels to Earth, but that request was met with blank stares.”
The new album by The OddEven is entitled Darkness, and we had all better strap in and get ready to fly hard and fast. The record is not just a collection of rock tunes, but more a journey to nightmares, dreamscapes, thrill rides, and butcher knives. The hypnotic vocals are strange and addictive, as the guitar work is eerie, fulfilling, uplifting, and bold. That said, it is finally the monstrous bass-oriented groove that defines this record, ignited by a hurricane of exceptional drumming and explosive hooks that bring us deep into the blast radius. Darkness is an invitation, precious and personal like a treasured pattern of body ink, and their suggestion is that we become a part of the experience by letting the music spark our wildest imaginations. They set us free to become exotic savages on distant planets, heroes in a hot-rods playing chicken with the stars, and psychedelic villains chasing shadows to the underworld. They make us want to stand on our chairs with our fists in the air, then go home from the show hoarse and happy. They want us all to keep hold of the groove. They want to make all of us Rock Gods. Darkness was produced by Weed and E.T., alongside Frank Marchand (Fiona Apple, Nils Lofgren) at Waterford Digital, and mastered by Alan Douches (Mastodon, Monster Magnet, Fleetwood Mac) at West West Side Music. The album will be released on January 5, 2024 by Eclipse Records.
Following the recent announcement of the debut album “Beyond the Fate of Death”, today Italian black-death metallers ASKESIS shares the second single from the record in the shape of “Creation of Non-Existence“. The song is now premiering at Black Metal Daily. Stream it HERE.
“Beyond the Fate of Death” is due out October 20th 2023 via Time To Kill Records.
Tracklist:
1.Retaliation 2.Creation of Non-Existence 3.Logical Suicide 4.Dawn of Current Inferno 5.King of Somberness 6.Stone of Perdition 7.With No Death that Chases Us 8.Black Ontology
ASKESIS was born in Venice in 2013. Since its genesis, the core line-up has featured Laura Nardelli (bass) and Samuele Scalise (drums), who have been joined by Nico Fabbri (vocals), Gregorio Di Angilla (guitar) and Juri Vatova (guitar) in 2022.
The band’s sound is based on a mix of black metal and death metal, delivering a listening experience that is raw and violent while simultaneously captivating and hypnotic. The songs are linked by an existentialist theme that takes up concepts from ancient Greek myths projecting them into today’s world.
Each composition delves into the human psyche and presents a unique perspective on life and its complexities. Despite their individuality, there are common threads that weave through these musical pieces.
A visceral and introspective exploration of the human experience, challenging societal expectations, and probing the depths of the human psyche. The band invites the listeners to confront their own fears, contradictions, and desires, encouraging introspection and contemplation on the complexities of existence.
Rejecting the status quo, ASKESIS condemn this world that brings suffering, seeking to assert self power and freedom. Dichotomy of creation and destruction, the dark aspects of human nature.
Line-up:
Nico Fabbri – Vocals Laura Nardelli – Bass Samuele Scalise – Drums Gregorio Di Angilla – Guitar Juri Vatova – Guitar
On November 10, 2023, atmospheric black metal act SHYLMAGOGHNAR will unleash its third studio album, titled Convergence, in its entirety via Napalm Records. What started out as a duo back in 2004 has turned into a one-man-band, yet, the upcoming new album sees SHYLMAGOGHNAR, run by multi-instrumentalist and founding band member Nimblkorg, returning heavier and stronger than before!
Convergence picks up right where both previous albums left off, and is intended as the end installment of a trilogy-in-spirit. While its predecessors, the much acclaimed Emergence (2014) and Transience (2018), invited the listener on a journey through human existence, time and space, Convergence marks the inward journey of death that one has to go through before being able to pass on. While the album’s protagonist is dying and lyrics describe the emotional, philosophical and psychedelic journey he is undertaking, the new SHYLMAGOGHNAR offering is also an allegory for learning to let go of positive and negative themes of the past that hold us back from moving on, and eventually, hopefully reaching inner peace. It’s immediately evident, that Convergence marks the deepest and most personal SHYLMAGOGHNAR record to date, as it’s dedicated to Nimblkorg’s late mother. Now, a stirring new video clip for the the song “The Sea” is premiering at:
Nimblkorg comments:“The Sea is the penultimate track of the third album, Convergence, which also marks the end of Shylmagoghnar’s initial trilogy.
It is the conclusion of a journey started so long ago. A place which welcomes all who have learned to let go. Weary traveller, your fight is over. Welcome back.
This song and video is dedicated to José Bertrand-Janssen. Rest in peace Mom.”
Both inside and outside of the music, SHYLMAGOGHNAR has always been a path with a will of its own for the Southern Netherlands-based Nimblkorg, who produces and records all of the music on his own. SHYLMAGOGHNAR is still a home produced project to this day and once again, almost half of the album is instrumental, as Nimblkorg agrees with a significant part of his fan base in that words can distract from the enjoyment of the music. The band mastermind also wishes to motivate other artists to not be afraid of home production.
Convergence is a stirring, emotional and deep journey – never afraid of genre borders and always balanced between the light and dark, the beauty and horror, life and death. Some bands need countless records and members to create a masterpiece, while SHYLMAGOGHNAR already unleashes it with album number three, and one that will ultimately establish this one-man-show as one of the most enthralling acts in extreme music!
There is no stopping the mighty SORCERER and in the autumn of 2023 the band will release their highly anticipated fourth album entitled Reign Of The Reaper. Again not content with repeating themselves the album features some of the darkest, heaviest and most aggressive material the band has ever recorded, and at the same time some of the most lyrical and beautiful.
For a preview of the album, a video (directed by Daniel Wahlström @ Heavy Groove Media) for the title track Reign Of The Reaper can be viewed at: metalblade.com/sorcerer – where ‘Reign Of The Reaper‘ can also be pre-ordered in various formats. At the same location you can find the video for the first single Morning Star!
Cover art by Joakim Ericsson
Track listing: 01. Morning Star 02. Reign of the Reaper 03. Thy Kingdom Will Come 04. Eternal Sleep 05. Curse of Medusa 06. Unveiling Blasphemy 07. The Underworld 08. Break of Dawn
SORCERER are known for their long title tracks with catchy and highly memorable choruses, and the second single ‘Reign Of The Reaper‘ is no exception. Taking the listener through the realms of death and dread, this doom-laden epic with it’s many twists and turns will crush souls, leaving metal fans begging for more darkness and despair. Anders says: “This song came about when we were looking for a title to go with the artwork. Somehow we wanted to build around the majestic appearance that Death presents on the cover. It’s a heavy hitter and a typical Sorcerer song, heavy, melodic with many different parts and the solos are extraordinary. The song is simply epic, just as we like it“. In the end we all will sing the song of the Reaper.
‘Reign Of The Reaper‘ will be released on the 27th of October by Metal Blade Records and features eight brand new tracks guaranteed to appease the appetites of metal heads from all sides of the Heavy Metal spectrum.
Since their rebirth in 2010, through a string of amazing live performances, signing to Metal Blade Records and releasing three excellent metal albums, SORCERER have been firing on all cylinders with no plans of stopping for anyone.
In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross (2015) put everything into motion; with its classic epic doom metal approach it solidified SORCERER‘s triumphant return to the scene. The follow-up, 2017’s The Crowning Of The Fire King, gave fans that extra dose of Epic they craved, while also allowing the band to begin to reform and reshape their sound and direction. It was here that SORCERER really laid the foundation on which they are still building – making heavy, melodic metal with crushing riffs, soaring vocals and hook-laden choruses.
2020 saw the band release what would be their most elaborate album to date, the concept album Lamenting Of The Innocent. This record allowed the band to test new waters with more elaborate, intricate songwriting, longer song forms and it features vocalist Anders Engberg at his absolute finest. The album was highly praised, and very well received, and has allowed the band to grace the stages of some of the most prestigious metal festivals and venues around the world.
For Reign Of The Reaper the band holed up in their home studios and wrote music all through 2022 and then once again headed to SolnaSound Recording in Stockholm, the studio owned, run and operated by Simon Johansson (Wolf, Soilwork) with Mike Wead (King Diamond) assisting, to record the drums. SORCERER likes to work with a small, tried and trusted team so therefore they once again employed the services of Ronnie Björnström (engineering/mixing/ mastering) and Jani Stefanovic (cover art for the singles & artwork booklet/packaging design); these guys have been working with the band since the first album and as per usual they delivered superbly. The striking album cover artwork was created by Swedish artist Joakim Ericsson. Conny Welén as usual handled co-production duties. Anders says: “He has been working with us since 2015 and the reunion album In The Shadow Of The Inverted Cross. Connys contribution to our sound is heard in every song; he is involved in the arrangements and plays all keyboards“. He also co-writes the vocal melodies and the foundations of some of the lyrics and on top of this he also recorded Anders’ vocals in his studio. Photographer Marieke Verschuren provided the awesome band photos as she also did on the previous album.
Sorcerer live: 17/11/23 DE – Würzburg – Hammer of Doom Festival 10/02/24 PL – Goleniow – Rampa Kultura 20/04/24 DE – Lünen – Lükaz
Sorcerer line-up: Anders Engberg – vocals Kristian Niemann – guitars, backing vocals Peter Hallgren – guitars, backing vocals Justin Biggs – bass, growls Richard Evensand – drums
Since recording the album drummer Richard Evensand has left the band and been replaced by Stefan Norgren.
Photo by Daniel Alvarado – Cover art by Poisondust
ENTHEOS have just dropped a new single – the Drumcorps remix of song The Interior Wilderness, which was originally released on the band’s recent album Time Will Take Us All – Listen HERE!
“The Interior Wilderness is a song about inner turmoil and choosing whether to overcome or succumb to a period of darkness in your life. Drumcorps’ style of remixing metal songs is one that provokes a feeling of existential dread and we thought that it would be the perfect way to emphasize what the lyrical content of the song conveys.” comments the band.
The remix comes after the release of the band’s 2023 full-length, Time Will Take Us All, which ENTHEOS is currently touring in support of alongside Unearth and labelmates Revocation. See the remaining dates below:
Co-headliners Revocation & Unearth with Entheos and High Command 2023-10-11 Richmond, VA – Canal Club 2023-10-12 Baltimore, MD – Soundstage 2023-10-13 Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Upstairs 2023-10-14 Horsehead, NE – The Pit at the L 2023-10-15 Hampton Beach, NH – Wally’s 2023-10-16 Quebec City, QC – La Source De la Martiner 2023-10-17 Montreal, ON – Fairmount Theatre 2023-10-18 Barrie, ON – The Queen Barrie 2023-10-19 Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground 2023-10-20 Ottawa, ON – The Brass Monkey
About the band: Pushing progressive death metal in ever more imaginative directions, Entheos continue to stand apart from the pack. Incorporating elements drawn from myriad genres – including death metal, groove, grunge, electronica, slam, gothic rock, jazz, prog and more – they have evolved with every release including the diverse and exhilarating Time Will Take Us All, the follow up to 2017’s landmark “Dark Future.”
Having stripped down to a two-piece in 2020, this has helped to streamline the band and allow the core members to make the music they want to with no compromise, which is clearly to their betterment. Koperweis – who takes the role of drummer in the band’s live lineup – has long written most of the guitar parts, so it was not a radically different writing process, but allowed him the freedom of complete control. Relying less on synths and electronic production than on previous releases, a lot of the more atmospheric elements are contributed by guitar, and there is even an acoustic guitar for the first time on an Entheos record. Crabb has also pushed herself harder than ever before, interested in consistently practicing to find new pitches and timbres in her voice, and she has most certainly extended the range of her screaming. Using pitched screaming to add melodic lines in many places, this is also the first Entheos record on which she has sung. “Singing has always been something that I’ve intended on adding to our band, I was just never willing to force it into parts that I didn’t feel like it fit into. On this album I really felt as though a lot of the material was musically calling for a more melodic vocal, so that’s where I took it. I’m really excited and proud to begin to venture into that territory and apply all areas of my voice to the music that we make.”
When it came to penning the lyrics, Crabb knew that she was going to write about her own “experience as a human” and approach the album based on the lingering awareness many people have, that there is so much world out there and there are so many different experiences to have – but there is so little time. However, this idea really hit home in August 2021 when she got into an accident on her electric scooter on the day she started tracking vocals. Because of this accident she found herself in a strange place mentally, juggling between feeling truly happy and grateful for every second that she was alive and got to spend with the people who she loved, but also feeling completely depressed, because of all of the uncertainty surrounding her injuries.
“It was hard to open my mouth, eating and talking were chores – let alone trying to sing or scream. I had no idea if I would be able to continue on as a vocalist or if my face would ever feel or look the same as before the accident. I returned to writing the album’s lyrics a few weeks after the accident with a refreshed point of view on what I’d begun writing. The album took form as a journey from the depths of depression into gratitude, but ultimately as an examination of our time and how precious it is. The time that we spend working toward goals when we don’t know the true outcome of them or if they’ll be important to us in the future. The time that we spend battling inner demons and being consumed by negative thoughts or depression and by our own vices. The time that we spend with the people that we love. The time that we spend focused on things that absolutely do not matter. The time that slips away as we feel life passing us by – and the time that we have left in this life. Time Will Take Us All is our human commonality, and it felt like the perfect name for this musical journey.”
This resulted in songs such as “Absolute Zero“, which is about the battle between mental darkness and lightness, when darkness begins to take over; “In Purgatory“, which references the state of temporary misery that getting in the accident put her in and more broadly the unknowing of whether an individual will come out of a situation for the better or for the worse, and “Oblivion“, which discusses the state of being stuck in the day-to-day of life and the lack of awareness that comes along with it.
With Koperweis handling production duties and Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder) mixing the record, all of the drums were tracked by Zack Ohren at Castle Ultimate, and Koperweis tracked guitars and vocals. They also recruited former member Evan Brewer to supply the bass. “Evan’s bass playing is a big part of what makes Entheos sound like Entheos, and it was important to us to have him on the record. He added bass lines after everything had been tracked and brought a lot of character and texture to what was already there,” Koperweis says. Though committed to their status as a two-piece, the band does have a live lineup with Brian James (ex-Fallujah) and Robert Brown (ex-Slaughter to Prevail) providing guitar, maintaining their reputation for being a killer live band.
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
