PONTE DEL DIAVOLO Sign to Season of Mist, Recording Debut Full Length Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 1, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Leave a comment
Photo credit: Cristina Ferrero

Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of Italian doom/black outfit PONTE DEL DIAVOLO!

The band was born in Turin in the winter of 2020 and offer a Doom/Black metal sound with old school roots blended with a modern and outside of the box background. The female voice, with strong dark wave influences, is the lyric corpus of this heavily esoteric influenced project. For a glimpse of things to come, check out the band’s previous EP’s HERE.

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO comment on the signing: “We are honoured and proud to join the Season of mist family. Three years from the start of this adventure we have closed a trilogy of EPs that was well received beyond our expectations and gave us a lot of satisfactions. We are determined to keep our musical concept with real demonic connotations, in the purest and freest sense of the term. On our first record you will hear something new, authentic, and truly profound.”

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO was born in Turin in the winter of 2020. The band proposes a Doom/Black metal sound with old school roots blended with a modern and outside of the box background. The female voice, with strong dark wave influences, is the lyric corpus of this heavily esoteric influenced project. The solid presence of two basses creates the massive foundation for the rhythmic guitar while everything is marked by a raw and dynamic drumming. This odd and rare combination builds the unique atmosphere of PONTE DEL DIAVOLO.

 “Mystery of Mystery / Secret live session” is the quintet’s debut EP, recorded live and without editing at Dracma Studio with L’Ossario in Turin, March 6, 2020.

“Sancta Menstruis” is the second EP, recorded at Deepest Sea Studio in Turin, by Danilo Battocchio, December 2021. The first song published is “The Unborn”, on February 21, 2022.

“Ave Scintilla!” is the third EP, recorded at L’Ossario Studio in Turin, July 31, 2022.

In February 2023 the band started the recordings of the first full length album which will be released by Season of Mist.

Line-up
Nerium: Guitar
Segale cornuta: Drum
Abro: Bass
Laurus: Bass
Erba del Diavolo: Vocals

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO Live
18 Mar 23 Torino (IT) Bunker (Burning Tower Feast)
10 Apr 23 Treviso (IT) Maximum Festival
10 Jun 23 Vicenza (IT) Revolution Live Club (+Gaerea)
11 Jun 23 Torino (IT) Ziggy Club (+Gaerea)

OZZY OSBOURNE Forced to Cancel UK + European Tour

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 1, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Ozzy Osbourne has issued, via his official Facebook-page, the following statement:

“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine.

My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.

I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.

Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way. My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.

I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.

I love you all…”

Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.

RUSSKAJA Release Third Single + Official Music Video ‘Paschli’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 1, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Markus Haas]

As the harsh winter days finally begin to get longer, that means more time to party – and who better to jam with than party-polka masters RUSSKAJA! The band promises to put some major pep in your step with their new studio album, Turbo Polka Party, out this Friday, February 3, 2023 via Napalm Records. Delivering a wild mixture of ska, punk and polka, the new album is also infused with unbridled metal beats as they return to heavier sounds.

With their new single “Paschli“ [ENG: let’s go], RUSSKAJA will have you dancing in no time! Together, the multitalented musicians blend energetic ska and reggae influences driven by head-bopping metal riffs. The Austrians with Ukrainian and Russian roots not only demonstrate their linguistic skills, but also unload all the energy they captured on Turbo Polka Party in the official music video!

Guitarist, songwriter and producer Engel Mayr about “Paschli“:
“Get on the desk, clap your hands and shake like crazy! “Paschli” rocks from start to finish and fires up the Turbo Polka Party with a mix of polka, metal & ska in three languages. Horns up everybody and scream “yeees”!!!!!”

Although they are one of the most entertaining bands in rock, RUSSKAJA have never strayed away from clear political statements. The band, known for utilizing Soviet imagery as a nod to their cultural background, sends a clear sign against war – calling for peace and humanity on Turbo Polka Party. This message is particularly emphasized on “No Borders” – reflective of the cries for peace RUSSKAJA stated in the wake of the Ukrainian/Russian tensions flaring in the beginning of 2022.

The band has also produced a special “No Borders” shirt, and will donate 100% of proceeds earned from its sale to the charity organization “Volkshilfe”, benefitting Ukrainian refugees. The shirt is available together with the Special Edition autograph card “No Borders”, which is signed by the entire band, and can be purchased via RUSSKAJA’s website.

Get your copy of Turbo Polka Party HERE

Turbo Polka Party tracklist:

  1. No Borders
  2. Russki Style
  3. Shapka
  4. Olga von der Wolga (feat. Micha Rhein – In Extremo)
  5. Paschli
  6. New Life
  7. Vozdukh (feat. Benji Webbe – Skindred)
  8. Senales (feat. Le Fly)
  9. Last Christmas
  10. Baila
  11. Turbopolka

RUSSKAJA undoubtedly master the tightrope act between clear messages and entertainment. With “Russki Style”, they show themselves on well-tread paths. But a party can’t happen without friends! Micha Rhein from In Extremo finds a place on the wistful “Olga von der Wolga”, while Skindred singer Benji Webbe supports the rousing reggae metal track “Vozdukh” and Hamburg dance act Le Fly convinces with exotic groove on the German-Spanish song “Senales”. Even the Wham hit “Last Christmas” is not safe from RUSSKAJA.

RUSSKAJA live:
Touring relentlessly while still rocking stages on TV as the house band on the prestigious “Willkommen Österreich” – RUSSKAJA’s Turbo Ska Punk is unstoppable and develops with each new album! It’s time to dance and toast to an unforgettable time together with RUSSKAJA.

On release date, February 3, 2023, RUSSKAJA will celebrate with an exclusive release party, taking place at vinyl pressing plant and event space Austrovinyl in Fehring, Austria. In addition to enjoying a concert from the polka-party masters, the new album can be purchased there, directly from the pressing plant, and singer Georgij Makazaria will set the tone with a special DJ set! Get your tickets for the release party HERE!

Turbo Polka Party Release Party:
03.02.23 AT – Fehring / Austrovinyl Werk2

Turbo Polka Party Tour 2023
w/ Paddy & The Rats, Bloodsucking Zombies from outer Space
23.02.23 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch
24.02.23 DE – Munich / Backstage
25.02.23 CH – Pratteln / Z7 Konzertfabrik
26.02.23 AT – Dornbirn / Conrad Sohm
28.02.23 DE – Leipzig / Werk 2, Halle D
01.03.23 DE – Jena / F-Haus
02.03.23 DE – Hanover / Musikzentrum
03.03.23 DE – Cologne / Kantine
04.03.23 DE – Hamburg / Grünspan
05.03.23 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater
08.03.23 AT – Linz / Posthof
09.03.23 DE – Bochum / Zeche
10.03.23 DE – Frankfurt am Main / Batschkapp
11.03.23 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann
23.03.23 AT – Salzburg / Rockhouse
24.03.23 AT – Graz / PPC
25.03.23 AT – Vienna / Arena
30.03.23 UK – London / Omeara
01.04.23 UK – Manchester / Deaf Institute
02.04.23 UK – Glasgow / Stereo
03.04.23 IE – Dublin / The Grand Social
04.04.23 UK – Bristol / Lost Horizon
06.04.23 FR – Villeurbanne / CCO
07.04.23 FR – Fontenay-le-Compte / Festival On N’a Plus 20 ans
08.04.23 FR – Paris / Petit Bain
09.04.23 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat

RUSSKAJA are:
Georgij Makazaria – Vocals
Engel Mayr – Guitars, Vocals
Hg Gutternigg – Potete, Tuba
Mario Stübler – Drums
Nico Loro Ravenni – Sax
Dimitrij Miller – Bass
Lea-Sophie Fischer – Violin

DARK EMBRACE Unleash ‘Personal Hell’ Single & Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 1, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Tony Hevia]

While Spanish metal unit, DARK EMBRACE, is currently gearing up for the release of their fourth studio album, entitled Dark Heavy Metal, today, the band has premiered a music video for their third album single “Personal Hell”! Dark Heavy Metal will be released on February 24, 2023 as CD Digipak and a limited Vinyl edition through Massacre Records, the pre-sale is available THIS LOCATION.

Following previously-shared songs, “Never Seen The Sun” as well as the blistering album title track, you can now watch the brand new video clip for “Personal Hell” here:

Get the song on all digital platforms HERE

Says the band: “Personal Hell is basically about the struggle to escape from depression. As everyone knows, mental health is really important nowadays. So don’t waste your time feeling sadness or loss of interest in what you really like, think about it and you will go ahead before it is too late. That’s what the song says.”

After being labeled with different styles by journalists and fans when it comes to the sound of the band for years, their new album title perfectly describes their own music style: Dark Heavy Metal is a metal manifesto – it is aggressive and melodic, triumphant, and convincing and comes with unique sounding vocals, amazing guitars, fiery drums, and grand symphonies.

Dark Heavy Metal was mixed and mastered by Mike Exeter at Gospel Oak Studio, with an album artwork created by Gustavo Sazes. 

Dark Heavy Metal track listing:

  1. Dark Heavy Metal
  2. Never Seen The Sun
  3. Personal Hell
  4. Endless Months
  5. Metal Is Religion
  6. Life And Legacy
  7. This Is The Rain
  8. Time Is Telling
  9. Bitter End MMXXII

DARK EMBRACE Live:
14.04.2023 DE Lichtenfels – Ragnarök Festival
30.06.2023 ES Viveiro – Resurrection Fest
29.07.2023 ES Torreperogil – Barcia Metal Fest

[Artwork by Gustavo Sazez]

OLTRE L’ABISSO’s Double Album “Opera Rock” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 1, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

OLTRE L’ABISSO (“Beyond the Abyss”) is a prog-rock work composed by Perry Magnani and M° Elisabetta Tagliati, based on Elisabetta’s dream novel of the same name published by Pluriversum Edizioni: the story is a faithful transcript of a dream received by the author and continued three months long in 2018.

The plot tells a legend with deep spiritual implications, set in the magical Italian Apennines. Bethel, a Celtic chieftain, receives a series of mysterious visions that lead her to an encounter with the druid Vessagh. Their mutual acquaintance quickly turns into transcendental love, allowing them to reach the source of the supreme Self.

The chosen genre, classical prog-rock, proved a malleable ally in being able to draw with music the most folk-like moments as well as the most dramatic and violent ones. Although Magnani’s music is pervaded by a deep personal style, it is able to adapt and excite by changing guise and personnel.

The entire concept is set during the harvest festival, Lughnasadh. In the first act, one will get to know the Capoclan Bethel, her companion Makena and the very sweet Luned: this Clan, whose faith falters, will gladly linger in the intoxicating drinks, drawing the listener into a festive mood that is soon overshadowed by the call of a forgotten prophecy. It is Luned, the couple’s loyal friend, who knows as much about the prophecy as the gods and who attempts to save her friend and sustain her relationship with Makena, whom she loves.

The second act has much darker atmospheres: the Capoclan goes in search of a famous Druid, Vessagh, for him to explain to her the transcendent experience she has undergone; he is overbearing and rejects her as unfaithful. Only while celebrating the great fire ritual will the Druid notice new energies in the air, and become curious about the woman he has imprisoned in his tent. In an atmosphere of mutual mistrust and fear, fascination and attraction between the two of them arises: they will reject these feelings until, having arrived before a mythical precipice from which only the Demigods had thrown themselves while remaining unharmed, they understand that the call of the Gods concerns them both and invites them to cross the threshold of the Unknown. In a moving monologue, Vessagh reflects on a life of renunciation and devotion, supported by Bethel’s ethereal vocalizations that incite him to reach the glory that is only a step away.

They will make the ritual leap by gaining immortality: for him it will be the desired public consecration as a demigod, but also the unhoped-for chance to be a father. Ready to give up the former, he will invite the Capoclan to raise their divine son together, but she will refuse, remaining loyal to her Clan and returning to her companion Makena, allowing Vessagh to be remembered forever. The voices of the gods, omnipresent in the choruses of the second year, will suggest that their love is not destined to end that night: in fact, the work represents only the first chapter of the entire novel. Bethel and Vessagh, finding themselves as they search for themselves, will continue that journey that has already transformed them indelibly. This is what we hope will happen to the listener as well, suspended between introspection and responsibility, fairy tale and reality, in a spiral of myth and mystery.

The rock opera is in the Italian language and played completely live, in both acoustic (with piano and partial or full band) and electric (with a rock band) versions. The three characters are characterized by three different vocalities (lyrical, rock and soul), approached from numerous musical genres (folk, pop, blues, soul, rock, metal, classical, psychedelic, soundtrack) that flow smoothly with each other and are summarized by the prog rock sound.

Rock opera was composed in 2018 and premiered in the Castle of Montefiorino (MO) in 2019. The performance consists of 25 songs for the duration of about 2 hours, executable as a performance (directed by Beatrice Cotifava), concert or musical reading.

The novel is published by Pluriversum Editions and a sequel called Tears of Eternity will be released soon.

In 2022 Beyond the Abyss signs to release the album through the Wanikiya Record / Promotion label.

TOM HUNTING Releases New Video ‘Jungle Love’ Feat. Darryl “DMC” McDaniels + Dan Lorenzo

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 1, 2023
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Tom Hunting (Exodus) has released his new single ‘Jungle Love’ taken from his “Hunting Party” solo EP, featuring Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (RUN-DMC) on vocals and Dan Lorenzo (Hades/Non-Fiction) on guitar.

The video for “Jungle Love” is a cover of the Morris Day and the Time classic from the film “Purple Rain”.

Darryl actually wrote original lyrics for his part and Dan Lorenzo came up with the guitar parts to go along with DMC’s vocal.

“We had a blast doing this one and I got to interview Darryl about his part on the song along with a FaceTime call showing Darryl and Tom talk about how much they enjoyed bringing this song to life.”

Watch Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (RUN-DMC) Interview about HUNTING PARTY (feat. Tom Hunting) at this location.

Watch Jungle Love -video below.

Video by Craig “Gator McKlusky” Cefola
Video featuring Jennifer Dittl as the Jungle Love Girl
Production Assistant: Andy Best
DMC / Lorenzo scenes shot at JROD PRODUCTIONS

Order Huntig Party – Vol. 1 at
✅ APPLE MUSIC – https://music.apple.com/us/album/hunting-party-ep/1637973260
✅ SPOTIFY – https://open.spotify.com/album/3tuKY5ZvXqyKNfx1opcQ35

Also check out
Tom Hunting (EXODUS) Interview about HUNTING PARTY – https://youtu.be/_ah8-HzdmgI
Boys Are Back In Town – from “48 Hrs.” (Movie Music) – https://youtu.be/Z772Gerl_aY
East Bound And Down – from “Smokey And The Bandit” (Movie Music) – https://youtu.be/iO1mAK6IxN0
You Haven’t Done Nothin’ (Stevie Wonder Cover) – https://youtu.be/5rVdNAp_uwo

Line-up
Tom Hunting (Exodus) – Vocals
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels (RUN-DMC) – Vocals
C. Will Harden (New Messiah) – Guitar
Dan Lorenzo (Hades/Non-Fiction/Patriarchs In Black) – Guitar
Jonny Rod (Return To Darkness) – Bass
Gator McKlusky – Drums

Follow HUNTING PARTY on social media:
✅Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomhuntingparty
✅Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomhuntingparty